DON’T PANIC: White House Shake-Up Is Business as Usual for Trump
Donald Trump is a businessman. Thus, President Trump runs America like a business.
Outside of the ability to wage war and print money, President Trump sees America as the biggest business challenge of his life.
And as we have learned from his Hollywood stint, Trump isn’t afraid to fire people. In fact, the reason Donald Trump is president is he wasn’t afraid to change the staff. That’s what business people do.
Years ago, I had an interview for a job; I got an offer on the spot.
As I was driving home, my future boss called me to tell me they had let go of 10 percent of the staff. He said the company does this periodically to make room for the best people. He hired me while firing 10 percent of his staff.
I got the message. Never let up.
The media describes the Trump team as tumultuous. Words like “major drama” and “turmoil” are often used. The Left touted the departure of Mike Flynn as proof. Further, the removal of Steve Bannon from a high-level security post offered even more proof, if you believe as the Left does.
Even when Trump promotes people, the Left describe the “turmoil.” Consider the expanded roles for Jared Kushner and Trump’s daughter Ivanka and you get my drift.
So the report from Axios writer, Mike Allen comes as no surprise.
President Trump is considering a broad shakeup of his White House that could include the replacement of White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and the departure of chief strategist Steve Bannon, aides and advisers tell us.
A top aide to Trump said he’s contemplating major changes, but that the situation is very fluid and the timing uncertain: “Things are happening, but it’s very unclear the president’s willing to pull that trigger.”
Insiders tell me that the possibilities for chief of staff include:
> House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who developed a bond with Trump as one of the earlier congressional leaders to support him, and remains a confidant.
> Wayne Berman of Blackstone Group, a Washington heavy-hitter who was an Assistant Secretary of Commerce under President George H.W. Bush, and a key adviser on eight presidential campaigns.
> David Urban of the Washington advisory firm American Continental Group, and a former chief of staff to the late Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.). Urban helped Trump win an upset victory in Pennsylvania, and was in constant cellphone contact with the candidate throughout the campaign.
> Gary Cohn, Trump’s economic adviser and the former #2 at Goldman Sachs, who has built a formidable team and internal clout.
For Donald Trump to change his chief of staff should surprise no one.
First, Reince Priebus was a curious choice anyway. Priebus’ claim to fame in Republican circles is fundraising.
Trump didn’t need a “Weineresque” front man, but more of a “take-charge” guy. One thing is certain: Trump doesn’t need a fundraiser.
After Priebus’ #2, Katie Walsh was outed as the White House leaker, we all viewed the writing on the wall. For Trump, trust is paramount.
As for Bannon, again a strange choice. I know Bannon, and he reminds me of Bob Beckel. Bannon brought a large Conservative media arm. And frankly, that could have been turned into a huge advantage for the Trump administration. Unfortunately, that hasn’t materialized.
Bannon maintains that the rumors of his demise are “100 percent nonsense.” However, isn’t that what they always say.
Whatever happens, Trumps sees it as “business as usual”. And that’s exactly what it is. Perform or die.