Trump Isolated in the White House... "Angry at Aides Who Refuse to Defend Him"

Giuliani Instructed 'Do Not Pay Lawyer Fees'
McEnany, O'Brien, Meadows, and Others Remain Silent

Donald Trump, President of the United States
Photo by AP Yonhap News>

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Just a week before the end of his term, U.S. President Donald Trump, who faced a second impeachment resolution in the House of Representatives, is reportedly becoming increasingly isolated in the White House and sinking into self-pity.

On the 13th (local time), The Washington Post (WP) and CNN, citing sources familiar with the White House's internal affairs, reported that President Trump is extremely angry and expressing dissatisfaction because his close aides are not defending him against the growing responsibility for inciting the Capitol riot.

According to sources, President Trump’s relationships with Vice President Mike Pence and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani are also deteriorating. In particular, WP reported that Trump recently told Giuliani not to pay his legal fees and to seek individual approval if any costs related to lawsuits over the election results need to be paid.

President Trump was reportedly angered by the fact that his close aides, including White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner, White House National Economic Council (NEC) Chairman Larry Kudlow, National Security Council (NSC) advisor Robert O'Brien, and Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, are hardly stepping forward as the impeachment process against him progresses rapidly.

A senior official in the Trump administration said, "The president was very upset. There is no one there." One source told CNN, "He (President Trump) is in a state of self-pity."

After the impeachment resolution passed in the House, the video released showed President Trump appearing calmer than usual but with a relatively subdued expression. Regarding this, a senior administration official told WP that advisor Kushner, senior White House advisor and Trump’s eldest daughter Ivanka Trump, White House Social Media Director Dan Scavino, and Vice President Pence suggested filming the video to rally Republican support and instructed not to mention the impeachment.

In this video, President Trump condemned the Capitol violence and emphasized that future protests must be peaceful. Referring to his slogan "Make America Great Again (MAGA)," he said, "MAGA has always been about upholding the rule of law, supporting those who enforce the law, preserving the most sacred traditions of this country, and driving out violence," stating that he would not tolerate violence.

Earlier, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an impeachment resolution charging President Trump with incitement of insurrection related to the Capitol riot. Ten Republican lawmakers also joined in. The final decision on impeachment will be made through the Senate’s trial and vote. The Democrats, who led the impeachment, demanded a conclusion before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on the 20th of this month, but the Republicans rejected this.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.