Then and Now: What Has Changed as Donald Trump Returns to the White House?

Then and Now: What Has Changed as Donald Trump Returns to the White House?

When former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral was being held in the city, Trump spoke at the Capitol addressing Senate Republicans, referring to the reactions of the banks.

New York: When Donald Trump first arrived in Washington in 2017, just before he took office as President of the United States, he was largely unknown to many there. As the only president in U.S. history without prior public office or military experience, it was unclear how he would govern.

However, the situation is not the same in 2025.

After four years in the Oval Office, Donald Trump returns as a future president with experience and a different team. The political landscape has transformed, with both chambers of Congress now filled with Republicans loyal to him. World leaders who were once critical of him have either exited the global stage or are now more eager to work with him.

Trump’s team is now experienced.

During Trump’s first term, especially in the early days of his presidency, his agenda was frequently stalled by courts and internal conflicts. Many of his cabinet appointments were quietly or openly working against his ideas.

But over four years, Trump learned how to get legislation passed, engage with world leaders, and expand the power of the office. “We will do even better because now we have a wealth of experience,” he said during a recent press conference at his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago.

Trump, who once admitted, “I know nothing,” now confidently declares, “I know the best people. I know the smartest people. I know about fools, and I know about geniuses.” Trump and his allies spent four years outside of office preparing the groundwork for his return. Even before his formal transition began, think tanks like the Heritage Foundation and America First Policy Institute were drafting hundreds of policy papers, executive orders, and legislative proposals that were ready to be enacted on Day 1.

NBC: “President-elect Donald Trump is now returning to the White House after an historic political realignment.”

🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/q7HzooEPoD

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 10, 2024

Trump’s return: Different dynamics in Congress

In 2017, the House Speaker was Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who withdrew his support for Trump during the 2016 campaign. Later, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called Trump a “fool” and a “vile human being.”

Today, the political landscape has shifted. As Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) said, “They’ve completely changed the party.” In 2017, Banks had just taken the oath as a member of Congress and recalls that Trump often faced resistance from within his own party.

During Jimmy Carter’s funeral, while addressing Senate Republicans, Banks referred to Trump’s evolution, stating that all former critics, including those in the Senate, now expressed support for Trump, his agenda, and his cabinet nominations.

Trump’s 2024 campaign was vastly different from his first. Under the guidance of seasoned Florida Republican strategist Susie Wiles, this campaign was widely praised across both parties for being the most disciplined, professional, and effective.

Wiles, who will join Trump’s team in Washington as his staff chief, made it clear that despite any personality clashes, she would not tolerate any attempts to undermine the campaign.

Trump will continue to engage with autocratic leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, with whom he has previously developed relationships.

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