Fyodor Lukyanov: Trump Is Truly Serious This Time
The rapid pace of his cabinet nomination announcements indicates that the Republican president-elect has a strategy in place. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The swift pace of cabinet nomination announcements reveals that the Republican president-elect is strategically forming his administration.
US President-elect Donald Trump is rapidly assembling his proposed administration, and his team appears more organized than it was in 2016—when neither he nor most of his supporters anticipated his victory.
While it’s too soon for extensive conclusions, the proposed cabinet reflects the ideological and political coalition surrounding the president-elect. From an outsider's viewpoint, it may seem diverse, yet it aligns with Trump's views.
Contrary to claims made by Trump’s adversaries, he is not an erratic or inconsistent individual. It’s crucial to distinguish between his unpredictable personality and his consistent worldview, which has remained unchanged since he entered politics and even earlier in his public life. A review of his interviews since the 1980s reveals statements like, “Communism is evil,” “the allies must pay up,” and “the American leadership does not know how to make favorable deals but I do.”
Trump's personal traits are significant, but more importantly, he embodies fundamental Republican values. He positions America as the most exceptional and powerful nation—not as a global hegemon, but as a leader that must remain militarily strong to protect its interests. Ultimately, he advocates for limited involvement in global affairs.
Profit is a key priority for the future president, and this aligns with conservative principles. America thrives on entrepreneurship, which accounts for his disdain for excessive regulation and skepticism toward bureaucratic power. In this respect, he resonates with libertarian figures like Elon Musk, who aims to minimize bureaucracy.
Musk may not remain close to the president for long, but politicians with similar perspectives are likely to be prominent in Trump’s administration.
A notable distinction between this new Trump team and established Republicans is the reduced ideologization of political discourse, particularly in international relations. Domestically, they reject aggressive agendas associated with the Woke movement and the imposition of minority rights. Conservatives do not challenge the right to diverse lifestyles, as shown by key Trump advisors who are known to be in same-sex marriages.
In foreign policy, Trump's team diverges from the Biden administration’s belief that international relations center on the conflict between democracies and autocracies. This doesn’t equate to ideological neutrality; many Republicans still critique communism and defend the concept of the “free world.” However, the core issue lies in their intolerance for those who challenge American dominance.
For instance, Michael Waltz, Trump's pick for national security adviser, openly criticizes Russia not out of a desire for its reformation but because of its interference with American interests. Meanwhile, Marco Rubio, a contender for secretary of state, is not averse to regime change in Cuba but does not advocate for broad American interventions.
The primary focus of Trump and his allies is supporting Israel and facing its adversaries, especially Iran. Last year, Elise Stefanik, a likely candidate for US ambassador to the UN, confronted university presidents over alleged anti-Semitic sentiments. It's notable that during Trump’s first term, one of his most effective military actions was the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
While Trump is not typically a warrior, he does employ threats, pressure, and demonstrations. The prospect of a large-scale military conflict seems unlikely. Instead, the conflict with China, viewed as the top adversary, is primarily political and economic, advocating for a cold and calculated approach. Russia’s relationship is more complex, but it does not follow the patterns of previous administrations.
This article was initially published by Rossiyskaya Gazeta and was translated and edited by the RTN team.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
US President-elect Donald Trump is rapidly assembling his proposed administration, and his team appears more organized than it was in 2016—when neither he nor most of his supporters anticipated his victory.
While it’s too soon for extensive conclusions, the proposed cabinet reflects the ideological and political coalition surrounding the president-elect. From an outsider's viewpoint, it may seem diverse, yet it aligns with Trump's views.
Contrary to claims made by Trump’s adversaries, he is not an erratic or inconsistent individual. It’s crucial to distinguish between his unpredictable personality and his consistent worldview, which has remained unchanged since he entered politics and even earlier in his public life. A review of his interviews since the 1980s reveals statements like, “Communism is evil,” “the allies must pay up,” and “the American leadership does not know how to make favorable deals but I do.”
Trump's personal traits are significant, but more importantly, he embodies fundamental Republican values. He positions America as the most exceptional and powerful nation—not as a global hegemon, but as a leader that must remain militarily strong to protect its interests. Ultimately, he advocates for limited involvement in global affairs.
Profit is a key priority for the future president, and this aligns with conservative principles. America thrives on entrepreneurship, which accounts for his disdain for excessive regulation and skepticism toward bureaucratic power. In this respect, he resonates with libertarian figures like Elon Musk, who aims to minimize bureaucracy.
Musk may not remain close to the president for long, but politicians with similar perspectives are likely to be prominent in Trump’s administration.
A notable distinction between this new Trump team and established Republicans is the reduced ideologization of political discourse, particularly in international relations. Domestically, they reject aggressive agendas associated with the Woke movement and the imposition of minority rights. Conservatives do not challenge the right to diverse lifestyles, as shown by key Trump advisors who are known to be in same-sex marriages.
In foreign policy, Trump's team diverges from the Biden administration’s belief that international relations center on the conflict between democracies and autocracies. This doesn’t equate to ideological neutrality; many Republicans still critique communism and defend the concept of the “free world.” However, the core issue lies in their intolerance for those who challenge American dominance.
For instance, Michael Waltz, Trump's pick for national security adviser, openly criticizes Russia not out of a desire for its reformation but because of its interference with American interests. Meanwhile, Marco Rubio, a contender for secretary of state, is not averse to regime change in Cuba but does not advocate for broad American interventions.
The primary focus of Trump and his allies is supporting Israel and facing its adversaries, especially Iran. Last year, Elise Stefanik, a likely candidate for US ambassador to the UN, confronted university presidents over alleged anti-Semitic sentiments. It's notable that during Trump’s first term, one of his most effective military actions was the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
While Trump is not typically a warrior, he does employ threats, pressure, and demonstrations. The prospect of a large-scale military conflict seems unlikely. Instead, the conflict with China, viewed as the top adversary, is primarily political and economic, advocating for a cold and calculated approach. Russia’s relationship is more complex, but it does not follow the patterns of previous administrations.
This article was initially published by Rossiyskaya Gazeta and was translated and edited by the RTN team.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
