Sightful Invest
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Stock
Top Posts
Kremlin warns it ‘could end badly for everyone’...
GOP lawmaker pushes bill to punish cities that...
Israeli hostages reunited with families in emotional moments
Johnson warns US ‘barreling toward one of the...
Trump credits Iran nuclear strikes for kickstarting Israel-Hamas...
Senate set for new vote to end shutdown,...
Couple separated, kidnapped during Oct 7 Hamas attack...
Fetterman marks release of last living hostages: ‘The...
‘It took 3,000 years’: Trump heralds ‘golden age...
Cities that canceled Columbus Day could lose federal...
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Stock

Sightful Invest

Politics

A kinder, gentler Trump? President-elect taking a more moderate stance

by admin December 11, 2024
December 11, 2024
A kinder, gentler Trump? President-elect taking a more moderate stance

Donald Trump is making a deliberate effort to soften his tone.

Or is he?

I’ve given this a lot of thought, having interviewed Trump twice this year, including two weeks before the election. He was focused and substantive, trying to reach a more independent audience, and while he took some campaign-style shots, he was relatively restrained by Trumpian standards.

Now that he’s the de facto president, I saw a similar Trump on display in the ‘Meet the Press’ interview. Kristen Welker’s follow-ups must have annoyed him, because he told her she had asked ‘nasty’ questions.

During the campaign, such episodes were overshadowed by Trump’s rock-n-roll rallies, where he’d ramble on about the great Hannibal Lecter or Arnold Palmer’s genitalia. But his declaration on NBC that he also wants to represent those who didn’t vote for him is a long way from his 2017 ‘American carnage’ inaugural address.

And yet, the president-elect has also mastered the art of saying things that can be interpreted two ways, or sending not-so-coded messages.

The Washington Post editorial board, not a big fan, says Trump ‘tried to sound a conciliatory tone’ with Welker, backed by substance.

Trump declared he wouldn’t oust Fed chief Jerome Powell, and wants to work with Democrats to protect the Dreamers. Trump said he ‘would not restrict the national availability of abortion medication, and that the United States will ‘absolutely’ remain in NATO, as long as other member states spend what they have pledged on defense.’ 

And why shouldn’t he appear more reasonable? He’s got the job he believes was unfairly taken from him. He can’t run again. He knows his first term was savaged by the left-leaning media establishment. If he can have a more successful second term – after turning on some top aides in the last go-round – he could modify history’s verdict.

And that brings us to the question of retribution. He said on NBC that the best retribution is success, the same line he used with me. On ‘Meet the Press’ he even retracted a campaign declaration that he would name a special prosecutor to go after Joe Biden. 

When Welker asked whether he’d order the Justice Department, which he sees as having persecuted him, to investigate Biden and his administration, Trump gave a response that I doubt he would have offered in the first term.

No, he said, that would be up to his attorney general and FBI director, which will definitely be Pam Bondi and probably Kash Patel. Would he tell them to do it? Nope.

It’s called distancing.

Now one could argue that he was in effect suggesting they do it by announcing it on national television. But I’m sure they knew his views anyway. 

Trump’s one misstep on NBC was lashing out at members of the House Jan. 6 Committee. He said Liz Cheney ‘did something that’s inexcusable, along with [Bennie] Thompson and people on the Un-Select Committee of political thugs and, you know, creeps,’ Trump told moderator Kristen Welker, arguing without proof that they ‘deleted and destroyed’ testimony. ‘Honestly, they should go to jail.’

So that was a gift to his critics, enabling most journalists to lead with him wanting the lawmakers behind bars. By the way, their investigation and hearings are protected by the Speech and Debate clause, which gives the members immunity.

Trump senior adviser Jason Miller told CNN that his boss’ words had been taken ‘out of context,’ that he ‘wants everyone who he puts into key positions of leadership … to apply the law equally to everybody,’ mentioning Bondi and Patel.

In a similar vein, Trump has mainly avoided attacks on individual journalists, this after saying he would reach out to even hostile outlets. But he made an exception and mocked Maggie Haberman of the New York Times when she co-authored a couple of stories he didn’t like.

So will we be getting Trump 2.0, or Trump 1.0 with plenty of fancy packaging?

Veteran Trump watchers know that he can slip off the high road when he gets angry, that it’s not just about mass deportations, slashing inflation and drill, baby, drill. 

But I still believe we’re seeing a more disciplined, restrained and moderate Trump so far. He campaigned on shaking things up, so there are plenty of clashes to unfold. What’s fascinating is that he’s already essentially running the country while Biden has faded and, since the pardon fiasco, is refusing to talk to the press.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

previous post
Biden, Democrats back away from bill that would give Trump more federal judges to appoint
next post
Speaker Johnson says ‘still some concern’ about Elon Musk-backed online safety bill

You may also like

Hegseth quips ‘99.9%’ of DEI initiatives are gone...

April 11, 2025

SCOTUS to hear straight woman’s discrimination case that...

February 26, 2025

Pete Hegseth may release sexual assault accuser from...

December 18, 2024

Ceasefire over as Israel strikes Gaza after Hamas...

March 18, 2025

Trump’s world leaders club: who’s in and who’s...

January 26, 2025

SkyWater pitches itself as all-American firm as Trump...

August 27, 2025

Hakeem Jeffries blames Trump for Newark Airport chaos,...

May 6, 2025

Red state sheriff credits Trump’s border policies for...

March 5, 2025

Harris finally adds policy page to campaign website,...

September 9, 2024

Trump agriculture nominee, Brooke Rollins, clears key Senate...

February 4, 2025

Recent Posts

  • Kremlin warns it ‘could end badly for everyone’ if US supplies Ukraine long-range missiles
  • GOP lawmaker pushes bill to punish cities that ditched Columbus Day after Trump proclamation
  • Israeli hostages reunited with families in emotional moments
  • Johnson warns US ‘barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns’ in history
  • Trump credits Iran nuclear strikes for kickstarting Israel-Hamas peace deal

    Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest insights, updates, and exclusive content straight to your inbox! Whether it's industry news, expert advice, or inspiring stories, we bring you valuable information that you won't find anywhere else. Stay connected with us!


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Categories

    • Business (938)
    • Investing (3,176)
    • Politics (3,891)
    • Stock (4)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: sightfulinvest.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 Sightful Invest. All Rights Reserved.