NEW YORK, NY - President Donald Trump is more comfortable on the job in his second term, according to a panel of journalists tasked with covering his every move.Atlantic reporters Jonathan Lemire, Ashley Parker, Missy Ryan and Michael Scherer discussed what it’s like to cover the White House and other powerful institutions Thursday on stage during the magazine’s annual festival at Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York City."We’re seeing someone who completed, arguably, the greatest comeback in American political history, he trusts his instincts and very few others, and is sort of an unfettered version of himself," Lemire said.Lemire said that Trump’s second administration is filled with "true believers" and "loyalists," while remnants of the "old Republican establishment" are long gone.TRUMP SAYS IRAN WAR 'HOPEFULLY' NEARING END AS HOUSE SPEAKER VOWS TEHRAN WON'T GET NUCLEAR WEAPONPresident Donald Trump spoke during a news conference in the James S.Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 6, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
(Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)"He also is just more comfortable with the job and how to use the levers of power," Lemire said."That also includes the relationship with the press and how he dictated change in terms of that relationship."Parker said the presence of Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has helped, while Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller spent the four years out of power "plotting and planning" how to run a "bigger, stronger, faster, better, more ruthless" White House the second time around.Scherer agreed, noting that Trump came back with a much clearer idea about what he can accomplish and how it would impact his legacy."I was in Dallas last week when he did the midterm convention.
His message was, ‘Vote for me one more time,’" Scherer said."There's sort of a different, almost nostalgic approach he's taking to things," he continued."But it is really about like, ‘This is my last chance to do wha...