What prompted Trump to appoint an ambassador to the Dominican Republic more than a month before taking office? The answer lies in unprecedented advance preparation by an incoming US administration.
In stark contrast to Trump's first term – when his initial team consisted of just 80 people and hundreds of positions remained unfilled for months – this time everything is methodically prepared well in advance. Beyond just the high-level positions, even lower-ranking administrative roles have designated appointees chosen by the former and future president.
Even before taking the oath of office, Donald Trump's influence is reshaping global dynamics. Global leaders are treating Trump as a de facto president, with prominent figures including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Argentine President Javier Milei, and Israeli envoy Ron Dermer making the pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago, which has become America's unofficial seat of power. In a telling move, French President Emmanuel Macron chose Trump – not Biden – for Notre Dame's restoration ceremony.
Trump's influence extends beyond symbolic gestures to tangible policy impacts. Some developments result from direct coordination with his team, while others reflect global actors' preemptive adjustments to his anticipated presidency. Trudeau's position appears precarious following unsuccessful attempts to prevent Trump's proposed Canadian tariffs.
China's more measured approach to global affairs, Qatar's tightened restrictions on Hamas leadership, and renewed Israel-Hamas mediation efforts all point to Trump's growing influence. The flight of Syrian leader Bashar Assad, which effectively dismantled Iran's "axis of resistance" and embarrassed his Russian supporters, is what Trump's team considers evidence of their leader's impact.
The appointment of strongly pro-Israel hawks to key positions, combined with Trump's imminent return, is already transforming regional dynamics. While direct causation cannot be proven, the timing of recent developments – the Hezbollah ceasefire, Assad's regime collapse, Hamas's diplomatic flexibility, and Iran's military restraint – suggests a correlation with Trump's rising influence.
Looking ahead, the "Trump effect" seen thus far may be merely preliminary. His actual presidency is expected to bring even more significant changes, including a comprehensive approach to the Iranian nuclear issue, facilitation of peace between Saudi Arabia and Israel, and new initiatives regarding the West Bank situation.
Globally, Trump's team anticipates brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine, strategically separating Moscow from Beijing, and implementing economic policies designed to boost both American and global prosperity. While these goals might seem ambitious, they reflect the confidence of Trump's millions of supporters and hundreds of appointed officials.
