It’s just a little more than a week removed from the victory that saw Donald Trump become only the second person to win the presidency, in non-consecutive terms, and the accompanying “red wave” that resulted in a trifecta for Republicans, winning the presidency and both houses of Congress. Not content to savor these victories, Trump immediately began naming the people he hopes to surround himself in “Trump 2.0.”
The left and the media (but I repeat myself) have become apoplectic with the announcements. Their incapacity for self-reflection have yielded hair-on-fire denouements and “Scream 2.0” exhibitions that would embarrass a pre-teen TikToker.
It’s reasonable to think (for those of us who are both reasonable and thinkers) that a president would want as his closest advisors and confidants people who agree with his platform and agenda. That Donald Trump has named several well-known people to key appointments is causing tremors among the Establishment. The nomination of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense was immediately greeted with cries from the antis that he was “too inexperienced” and the unspoken opinion that he wasn’t part of the Elite.
Exactly.
Other names are raising eyebrows for much the same reason. Kristi Noem, Tulsi Gabbard, Matt Gaetz, Lee Zeldin, John Ratcliffe, and a growing list. The announcements come at a pace that has raised anxiety levels among Trump’s foes, which makes it difficult for them to formulate a cogent argument against them.
One thing that hasn’t been mentioned widely in the snooze media that I think far outweighs the obvious conservative mindset of these appointments is the age factor.
Legally, discrimination based on age is illegal. Politically, however, the past few decades have been a period of gerontocracy (a Greek word meaning “rule by the eldest”). The senior leaders in the highest ranks of government have all been in their upper 70s or 80s. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) is 90! The president is 81. The president-elect is 78. The general rule has been that one must “grow into the job.” Often, seniority outweighs capability.
Despite his vigor, Trump knows he is not a young man. But he’s carefully crafting the future of the Republican Party by naming people mostly in the 40-45 year-old range. The list is not complete, so the number might change, but it appears that the oldest person named to serve in his administration is Trump’s choice for Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who is 69. His Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles is 65.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., left, Stephen Miller, middle, and former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Tom Homan, right. (AP Photos)
From left: Pete Hegseth, Kristi Noem and John Ratcliffe. (AP Photos)
Trump’s re-emergence in the halls of power is having a similar effect beyond his immediate ability to control. The Senate has just elected 63 year-old John Thune (R-SD) as Senate Majority Leader, replacing 82 year-old Mitch McConnell, who led the Republicans in the Senate for 18 years. Thune may not be Trump’s choice (he favored Rick Scott) but the message is clear: Old is out, young is in.
Trump’s choices from this point on suggest his legacy will be the youth movement he’s bringing to government. A much-needed refresh, based on recent history.