Just weeks before his formal return to the Oval Office, Donald Trump—once a polarizing outsider and reviled figure in elite circles—now finds powerful movers and shakers scrambling to align themselves with his soon-to-be reinstalled administration. At 78, the Republican leader’s comeback has spurred a high-stakes courtship among tech magnates, corporate giants, media personalities, and political figures keen to stay on his good side.
This shift marks a stunning reversal of fortunes. During his first term, Trump famously clashed with industry leaders and faced widespread condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans, not to mention a wary international community. But this time around, the climate has changed dramatically. Detractors of the past are making discreet pilgrimages to Trump’s Florida retreat, Mar-a-Lago, eager to forge bonds and secure influence before he settles back into the White House this January.
“Four years ago, many of these people wanted nothing to do with him,” noted a Washington-based political strategist who requested anonymity. “Now, nobody wants to be left behind. The president’s ability to reward loyalty—and punish dissent—is a powerful force.”
A Procession of Tech Titans and Media Figures
In the past several weeks, a procession of tech leaders has quietly passed through Mar-a-Lago’s gilded lounges. Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, once Trump’s staunch critic, reportedly sought rapprochement after Facebook’s ban of the president in the wake of the January 6 Capitol riot. In rapid succession, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google heavyweights Sundar Pichai and Sergey Brin, and even longtime skeptic Jeff Bezos of Amazon have come calling. Numerous tech and media corporations are now said to be chipping in generous contributions to Trump’s inauguration fund, with rumors of million-dollar checks circulating among insiders.
Observers say these overtures are not simply polite gestures—Trump’s second term appears poised to reshape business regulations, trade policies, and social media oversight. Many corporate leaders want to ensure a voice at the table. For example, TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew reportedly met with Trump after the platform spent years under threat of a U.S. ban. The tech world’s about-face, once unimaginable, reveals the raw power of the presidency and the uneasy bargains industries strike to maintain their edges.
A Political Establishment in Flux
The transformation is not limited to the business sphere. Congressional Republicans who once warily eyed Trump’s tumultuous style now show little inclination to challenge him. Rumblings that Trump might support primary challengers against those who fail to display loyalty have had a chilling effect. Even contentious cabinet choices—such as rumored picks like Pete Hegseth for defense secretary or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for a top health post—no longer spark fierce resistance on Capitol Hill.
President Joe Biden, who once sounded alarms about threats to democracy, seems focused on ensuring a smooth power transfer. International leaders, including those who previously kept Trump at arm’s length, now beat a path to his door. From right-leaning allies like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to more centrist players like Canada’s Justin Trudeau, world leaders are maneuvering to secure favorable trade terms and diplomatic understanding.
Media Rehabilitation and the Risk of Retribution
Meanwhile, the American media—branded “the enemy of the people” by Trump during his initial term—has quietly begun to mend fences. High-profile journalists and anchors, including some who once withstood the president’s tirades, have met privately at Mar-a-Lago or extended overtures of cooperation. Time Magazine’s decision to name Trump “Person of the Year” for a second time underscores just how dramatically the narrative has shifted.
Not everyone is safe. A pollster and a newspaper recently found themselves on the receiving end of a Trump lawsuit for unfavorable survey data before the election, illustrating the hazards of crossing the soon-to-be president. This dynamic—an unpredictable leader wielding personal vendettas as easily as he does political influence—creates a climate of caution among both allies and critics.
As January approaches, Trump’s gravitational pull is undeniable. Those who once dismissed him as a political aberration now gather in Florida’s opulent sunshine, hoping to find a secure place in the new order. The message is clear: In this second act of the Trump presidency, it’s better to be inside the tent than out in the cold.
