Trump Reaches Beyond West Wing for Counsel (His top 20 advisers. Ugh!)
By MAGGIE HABERMAN and GLENN THRUSH APRIL 22, 2017
WASHINGTON Relationships have always been President Trumps currency and comfort, helping him talk his way into real estate deals over three decades in New York. Those who know him best say that his outer confidence has always belied an inner uncertainty, and that he needs to test ideas with a wide range of people.
As Mr. Trumps White House advisers jostle for position, the president has turned to another group of advisers from family, real estate, media, finance and politics, and all outside the White House gates many of whom he consults at least once a week.
The media mogul Rupert Murdoch is on the phone every week, encouraging Mr. Trump when hes low and arguing that he focus on the economy rather than detouring to other issues. The developer Richard LeFrak is a soothing voice who listens to Mr. Trumps complaints that cost estimates for the border wall with Mexico are too high. Sean Hannity tells the president that keeping promises on core Republican issues is crucial.
Mr. Trumps West Wing aides, like President Bill Clintons staff two decades before, say they sometimes cringe at the input from people they cant control, with consequences they cant predict. Knowing these advisers who are mostly white, male and older is a key to figuring out the words coming from Mr. Trumps mouth and his Twitter feed.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/22/us/politics/donald-trump-white-house.html?emc=edit_th_20170423&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=57435284