Trump is reportedly watching more TV, relying on his 'gut instincts' — and alarming his advisers
As White House staffers continue to depart at an unprecedented rate, President Trump is increasingly left to his own devices.
Robert Costa, a reporter for The Washington Post, told MSNBC on Thursday that Trump's "sparse" West Wing has him leaning on cable news and his own impulses even more than before. Trump announced Wednesday that White House counsel Don McGahn would be leaving in the fall, and sources told Costa that others are fearful of stepping into Trump's shrinking inner circle.
White House sources say Trump is "isolated,” Costa told Morning Joe's Mika Brzezinski. "He has these aides and advisers he counts on, but he's really watching television and relying on his own gut instincts." Costa said Trump's increasing dependency on cable news has "caused some alarm inside the president's circle, as he becomes more besieged by political and legal problems."
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Advisers are reportedly worried that Trump doesn't trust enough of his remaining staff, as even long-standing administration officials like White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders eye the exit. "Rather than trying to bring in more establishment Republicans" to deal with escalating legal troubles, Costa said, Trump is flipping on Fox News. Watch Costa's appearance below, via MSNBC. Summer Meza
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Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
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