Donald Trump has returned to the presidency in an unexpected landslide, securing both the popular vote and the electoral college in what many are calling the greatest political comeback in American history.

For a lot of people, this result is hard to process, partly because our media environments have become so polarized. Each group has constructed its own version of reality, believing that theirs is the truth while the opposing side is out of touch. 

This divided understanding is the new reality, shaped by the fragmentation of social and traditional media, which often act as echo chambers far removed from the views and values of the broader country.

Some have likened Trump’s victory to a repeat of 2016, but his second term promises to be quite different. Trump, now in his eighties, shows signs of aging—something evident in his interviews, where his tone has grown soft and his pauses have grown frequent. Granted, he’s sharp-minded and certainly no Biden, but the wall of age eventually hits us all.

In 2016, Trump approached the presidency with relentless energy, personally managing cabinet selections and policy with a hands-on approach. This time, however, he may take a step back, delegating much of the action to a group of close advisors and allies. This more reserved approach will certainly birth a starkly different second term in office.

The Council 

Trump’s unofficial council will likely include a powerful network of figures including Elon Musk, RFK Jr., J.D. Vance, Stephen Miller, and members of Trump’s own family. Each of these figures comes with their own agendas, which could drive this administration’s policies in unique directions. Trump will retain the title and formal power of a president, but his circle may shape a large portion of the day-to-day agenda.

Elon Musk: Tech, AI and Trimming Federal Expenditure

One of the most significant members of Trump’s inner circle is Elon Musk, the renowned tech billionaire and owner of multiple companies across various industries. Musk invested heavily in Trump’s campaign, contributing over $100 million and becoming an outspoken critic of the Democratic Party in the process.

In fact, his activity in the campaign put his businesses at risk, because they require government contracts and authorization to operate.

In a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, Musk commented on the pressure he faced for supporting Trump. When Carlson asked, “What pressure was put on you to shut down X?” Musk replied, “Well, other than the numerous statements from the Democrats saying they want to put me in jail, take away government contracts from my companies, nationalize my companies, deport me as an illegal alien, and arrest me for apparently being Putin’s best friend, nothing other than that.”

He acknowledged that the pressure he felt was intense, yet “it pales in comparison to President Trump, who they tried to assassinate twice, bankrupt, and lock up forever.”

In fact, Trump confirmed that he intends to have Musk as a member of his cabinet or in an advisory position in a recent interview.

“I would [consider Musk], he’s very smart. I had a great talk with him the other day, as you know, and it went on for two-and-a-half hours, almost, and perhaps you listened, but he’s a very smart guy and if he would do it, I certainly would, he’s a brilliant guy,” Trump said.

Musk’s close connection to Trump and his public support have secured him a central role in shaping policy, particularly in areas related to artificial intelligence, space exploration, and electric vehicles—sectors he’s personally invested in through his companies xAI, SpaceX and Tesla. 

His primary concern, however, lies with the federal deficit, which he views as an economic threat to the country. Musk has voiced his frustration with government waste, pointing out that overregulation could prevent the U.S. from reaching its goals, like traveling to Mars.

“If the current trend of strangulation by overregulation is not turned around, we’ll never get to Mars,” Musk said at a recent town hall meeting. “I’ve had quite a bit of interaction with the government, because SpaceX is the biggest NASA contractor…but there are expenditures that don’t make a lot of sense, that are wasteful, and we need to put a stop to that.”

“There’s so much government waste that’s going on…in every direction, there’s mad waste. If people simply know that if they waste a ton of taxpayer money, or do something that’s basically corruption, then they’re going to get fired, then that will immediately improve the situation,” he continued.

“If they’re effective in spending your money, because taxpayer money is your money, they should be rewarded, they should be promoted. They have a duty to spend your money well.”

To address federal spending, Musk will head a new Government Efficiency Commission with the ambitious goal of reducing the federal budget by $2 trillion, a hefty percentage of the current $6.75 trillion budget. He plans to accomplish this by eliminating wasteful programs, though the implications of such deep cuts could mean reduced government services and potential job losses.

This role was created specifically for Musk, and it is the first of its kind. We’ll see what unfolds in the next administration.

RFK Jr.: The CDC, the FDA and Public Health

Another influential figure in Trump’s administration is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his strong opinions on public health and vaccines. Trump intends to give him considerable freedom in health-related areas, including topics like pesticides, vaccines, and overall health policy. 

Trump remarked, “[RFK Jr.] can do anything he wants. If he wants to look at the pesticides, the vaccines…anything. Bobby is great. I want him to work on health… I think he’s right with so many of the things he’s talking about, because, you know, we’re not a healthy country.”

RFK Jr. gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic by voicing skepticism about the government’s emergency authorization of the COVID vaccines and the handling of public health. 

His primary goals now include cutting out harmful additives, chemicals, and pesticides that he believes contribute to chronic illness. He is also pushing for alternative approaches to pharmaceuticals and advocating for stricter transparency and safety standards from health agencies. He has been outspoken about removing fluoride from the water supply, which he claims has harmful effects, though he doesn’t intend to enforce this change directly, instead encouraging districts to reevaluate their choices.

RFK Jr. also stated that he is not anti-vax and he wouldn’t take away vaccines but would promote informed consent, giving people the choice to decide. 

Additionally, he said he would not have directly blocked the COVID vaccine emergency authorization by the government, but that he would have ensured that the U.S. had the best efforts at science. 

“We had 16 percent of COVID deaths with only 4.2 percent of the globe’s population. Our response was the worst out of any country,” RFK Jr. said in a new interview.

He plans to address corruption in agencies like the FDA and CDC, aiming for reforms that will lead to healthier outcomes for Americans.

“Why do we have Fruit Loops in this country that have 18 or 19 ingredients, and when you go to Canada, it’s got two or three?” he pointed out. “[Getting the corruption out] is what I’ve been doing for 40 years. I’ve sued all those agencies. I have a PHD in corporate corruption, and that’s what I do. Once they’re not corrupt, once Americans are getting good science and are allowed to make their own choices, they’re going to get a lot healthier.”

This position is also brand new and entirely unprecedented. Nobody knows what it will entail.

Vice President Elect J.D. Vance: Domestic Policy

In domestic policy, J.D. Vance will take a lead role. Vance is expected to focus on family-centered legislation, economic protectionism, and isolationist policies. He supports affordable IVF for families, opposes foreign aid to Ukraine in favor of negotiating a peace settlement, and advocates tariffs to protect American manufacturing.

The Ohio senator’s rise in politics is shaped by his challenging upbringing, which he describes in his memoir Hillbilly Elegy. Raised in the town of Middleton by his grandparents, Vance overcame adversity to earn a law degree from Yale. This background has helped him connect with working-class voters, and he is seen by some as a more polished version of Trump, praised for his intelligence and empathy. Vance’s focus on preserving American jobs and limiting immigration aligns closely with Trump’s “America First” approach, though he brings his unique, populist conservative voice to the administration.

Recently, John Lowe, member of the Republicans Overseas, called Vance a “more polished version of Donald Trump,” who speaks very well, is highly intelligent, and is very good at dealing with hostile journalists. 

“He is a bit of a populist, but that’s from his background, he had a very rough upbringing, and then he was able to accomplish quite a lot,” Lowe said.

Vance handled his vice presidential debate against Tim Walz differently than the likes of Trump’s rough approach against Harris. His words were carefully selected, kind and understanding, rather than belittling, and this resonated well with his supporters.

Stephen Miller: Immigration Agenda

Stephen Miller, Trump’s former senior advisor and speechwriter, is known for his hardline stance on immigration, and he is expected to play a major role in shaping Trump’s policies on border control. 

Building on efforts from Trump’s first term, Miller aims to expand the border wall, increase deportations, and tighten visa regulations. He also proposes leveraging the National Guard to assist with deportations in resistant states, a move likely to face legal challenges.

The scale of Miller’s plans could lead to record-high deportation numbers, with some estimating that as many as one million people could be deported each year. This aggressive stance may lead to tension, particularly as Trump’s other advisors like Vance and Musk may push for different policy focuses.

Despite this risk, Trump recaptured the White House on the promise of a vast immigration crackdown.

“Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump’s first-term immigration agenda, said in 2023 that National Guard troops from cooperative states could potentially be deployed to resistant states to assist with deportations, which would likely trigger legal battles,” Reuters reported.

What Lies Beyond Trump?

This council-style approach raises questions about what might happen if Trump were to pass away during his second term. Without Trump’s unifying presence, intense rivalry could emerge among his advisors. Musk and Vance might join forces for a vision of a tech-forward, isolationist America, while Miller could push for a stricter stance on national security and immigration. Each faction would vie to bring its agenda to the forefront, possibly creating internal conflicts that could reshape Trump’s legacy.

In Trump’s second term, it’s clear that power will be widely distributed among these advisors, with each figure bringing their own agenda to the table. This could create a dynamic where within administrations, powerful advisors shape America’s future in new and unpredictable ways.