Dec 19, 2017

Trump, in reality and perception, unchanged by presidency

Illustration: Lazaro Gamio / Axios

A wise man told us a year ago: "You know who never is going to change? A 70-year-old billionaire with his name on the building." How prescient!

Why it matters: It's striking how little President Trump — and perceptions of President Trump — have changed as 2017 comes to a close:

He started 2017 with about 40% of the country with him, and ends 2017 with about 40% of the country with him.
He started 2017 haunted by Russian interference in the election, and ends 2017 haunted by Russian interference in the election.
He started 2017 with elected Republicans skeptical but compliant, and ends 2017 with elected Republicans skeptical but compliant.
He started 2017 with virtually every elected Democrat disliking him, and ends 2017 with virtually every elected Democrat disliking him.
He started 2017 at war with the mainstream media, and ends 2017 at war with the mainstream media.
He started 2017 with accusations that he sexually harassed women, and ends 2017 with accusations that he sexually harassed women.
He started 2017 talking tough but doing little to China, and ends 2017 talking tough but doing little to China.
He started 2017 with a lot of top Republican talent not wanting to work for him, and ends 2017 with a lot of Republican top talent not wanting to work for him.
He started 2017 on Twitter, and most certainly will end 2017 on Twitter.

Be smart: This is the rerun presidency: Every day feels like the last day. So it's safe to assume that 2018 will feel a lot like — wait for it — 2017.

There are only two people who can change Trump: Trump himself, and Robert Mueller.

Between now and New Year's Day, Axios CEO Jim VandeHei and I will bring AM readers our year-end thoughts on the topics that matter most. Sign up here.

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