Trump's First Week as President-Elect: Focus on Administration Building at Mar-a-Lago

Donald Trump, known for his love of the limelight, has been notably absent from public view since winning the presidential election last week. Instead of rallies or speeches, Trump has been at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Florida. There, he is making calls, reconnecting with foreign leaders, and assembling his new administration.

Despite being out of the public eye, Trump is not isolated. He is surrounded by advisers, friends, and club members who offer advice as he selects people for key government positions. Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual with significant federal contracts, has been a regular presence. Some consider Musk to be highly influential in Trump's circle, second only to Susie Wiles, Trump's campaign chief-turned-incoming chief of staff.

"Very productive day of work by the transition team," Musk posted on X, his social media platform, on Monday evening. Trump plans to return to public engagements on Wednesday with a visit to the White House to meet President Joe Biden and a trip to Capitol Hill to consult with House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Trump's Transition Process

The current transition process is markedly different from Trump's first term. Unlike eight years ago when Trump was frequently seen at Trump Tower or his Bedminster golf course for meetings, Mar-a-Lago remains off-limits to the public. Security has been heightened following two assassination attempts on Trump.

In 2016, Trump quickly announced his senior leadership team shortly after the election. This time around, appointments are happening even faster. Susie Wiles has already been named chief of staff. Stephen Miller will serve as a policy adviser, and Tom Homan will be the border czar. New York Rep. Elise Stefanik is set to be the ambassador to the United Nations, while former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin will lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

Elon Musk's Role

Musk's influence extends beyond his expertise into areas like border security. He is expected to play a formal role in recommending ways to make the federal government more efficient. Musk claims he could identify over $2 trillion in savings—almost a third of annual spending.

Musk was also included in a post-election call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Both Trump and Musk have expressed doubts about supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion. Trump often praises Russian President Vladimir Putin and vows to end the war before Inauguration Day.

Job Competition

The competition for positions in Trump's administration is fierce this time around. Allies have spent years preparing personnel lists and policy proposals since Trump's 2016 surprise victory. Candidates are represented by PR agencies and lobbyists; some even hire consultants to enhance their image.

Howard Lutnick, co-chair of Trump's transition team responsible for personnel, stated that he hadn't discussed any recommendations with Trump before his win due to Trump's superstitious nature. "What I do is I go and find the greatest candidates for the role," Lutnick said. "Then he'll start interviewing and considering."

Trump's current approach contrasts sharply with his previous transition period when he was more visible at locations like Trump Tower and Bedminster golf course. Now, announcements are made through statements and posts on Truth Social while club members capture moments on social media.

In one instance, Trump was seen dancing on Mar-a-Lago's patio or dining with Melania while being cheered by guests. He was also spotted playing golf with his granddaughter Kai at one of his properties.

Kai shared photos from that day on Instagram showing Trump in a golf cart and later sitting in a restaurant chair next to her while someone leaned in for a conversation. Musk was also present at the golf course where he met members.

Musk appears almost like family; he was seen giving his son a piggy-back ride during an election night event at Mar-a-Lago and joined family photos with Trump's children and grandchildren.