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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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Go deeper

Axios
Updated 1 hour ago - World

Up to 17 U.S. missionaries kidnapped in Haiti

Haitian soldiers guard the public prosecutor's office in Port-au-Prince this month. Photo: Richard Pierrin/AFP via Getty Images

Children were among up to 17 American Christian missionaries and their relatives kidnapped by a gang in Haiti on Saturday, the New York Times first reported.

The latest: Haitian police inspector Frantz Champagne identified the 400 Mawozo gang as the group responsible, in a statement to AP.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Ivana Saric
3 hours ago - Economy & Business

Hollywood union reaches deal with studios to avert strike

Photo: AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

A Hollywood workers' union reached a tentative deal with studios, networks and streamers that will guarantee better working conditions, meal breaks and increased wages for low-paid workers, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) announced Saturday night.

Why it matters: The deal, which still needs to be ratified by IATSE members, will avert a nationwide strike by film and television workers that was set to start Monday. It would have been the first strike in the union's 128-year history.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Fadel Allassan
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Bill Clinton released from hospital following treatment for non-COVID infection

Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Former President Bill Clinton was discharged from the University of California, Irvine Medical Center on Sunday, nearly a week after he was admitted for a non-COVID-related infection, according to his spokesperson Angel Ureña.

What they're saying: "His fever and white blood cell count are normalized and he will return home to New York to finish his course of antibiotics," wrote Dr. Alpesh Amin, who has been overseeing the team of doctors treating Clinton. "On behalf of everyone at UC Irvine Medical Center, we were honored to have treated him and will continue to monitor his progress."

Worth noting: Clinton had a urinary tract infection that spread to his bloodstream, per CNN.

  • The California-based medical team had been administering IV antibiotics and fluids, and was in constant communication with Clinton's New York team, including his cardiologist, according to the former president's physicians.
  • President Biden spoke by phone with Clinton on Friday to see how he was doing, and the catch-up included a discussion of recent politics.