Others were now recruited and, despite their obvious impressions of the man, agreed to sign on. Jim Mattis, a retired four-star general, one of the most respected commanders in the U.S. armed forces; Rex Tillerson, CEO of ExxonMobil; Scott Pruitt and Betsy DeVos, Jeb Bush loyalists-all of them were now focused on the singular fact that while he might be a peculiar figure, even an absurd-seeming one, he had been elected president
The book "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" by Michael Wolff highlights the phenomenon of people with distinguished backgrounds aligning themselves with Donald Trump, regardless of their initial perceptions of him. Individuals such as Jim Mattis, a respected retired general, and Rex Tillerson, the former CEO of ExxonMobil, were part of this trend. They demonstrated that, despite any reservations about Trump's character or style, they acknowledged the reality of his election as president.
This situation underscores a critical point in American political dynamics, where the allure of power and influence prompts even those who may find the president unconventional or absurd to engage in his administration. The involvement of prominent figures like Scott Pruitt and Betsy DeVos further illustrates how the motivations for collaboration can sometimes overshadow personal impressions, driving them to support Trump’s agenda in the political landscape.
