President-elect during the CBS 60 Minutes interview to be screened this morning. Picture: CBS
DONALD Trump has pledged to be “very restrained” on social media in a further attempt to redefine himself as a conciliatory President.
He has also indicated to aides that he wants to continue the large, passionate rallies that became a hallmark of his race to the White House.
In his first broadcast interview since winning the election, airing on CBS’s 60 Minutes this morning Australia time, Mr Trump will try to cast himself as a promoter of unity and an action-oriented president determined to use jobs and tax cuts to get the US back on track.
It comes as Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said Mr Trump was considering a tour of some states in coming weeks to thank his supporters.
The people have spoken. They chose a new direction and different leadership. Respect them. Come together. We live in a wonderful nation. 💗🇺🇸
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) November 9, 2016
But thousands of protesters raged on in cities including New York, Chicago and LA after one was shot in Oregon at the weekend. The protests in New York on Saturday night were among the biggest since Mr Trump claimed victory mid-week.
Mr Trump was hunkered down in Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue with family, busy considering key government appointments.
His only public engagement was to tweet a message of unity: “This will prove to be a great time in the lives of ALL Americans. We will unite and we will win, win, win!”
This will prove to be a great time in the lives of ALL Americans. We will unite and we will win, win, win!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2016
On the topic of social media, he tells the 60 Minutes interview: “I’m going to be very restrained, if I use it at all, I’m going to be very restrained.”
However he said he believed his social media presence had helped him reach millions of Americans while campaigning, and put his own spin on things.
“It’s a great form of communication. Now do I say I’ll give it up entirely? I’m not saying I love it but it does get the word out.”
Hey @realDonaldTrump - In case you're looking for that tweet you deleted .. I got it right here. pic.twitter.com/a6F98q5xGU
— Lenny Jacobson (@Lennyjacobson) April 17, 2015
He credited Twitter with helping him win the election, saying it had been more effective than spending campaign money on advertising.
The New York Times also reported separately that Trump aides say the president elect has “expressed interest” in continuing his large, passionate rallies as another mode of reaching Americans.
These rallies were key to his ability to build a fiercely loyal support base in the campaign.
Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2016
Mr Trump has a striking ability to rouse enthusiasm in a crowd, and deftly used his rallies to stir up supporters to come to polling booths on election day.
“He likes the instant gratification and adulation that cheering crowds provide, and his aides are discussing how they might accommodate his demand,” the NYT wrote.
Hillary Clinton should have been prosecuted and should be in jail. Instead she is running for president in what looks like a rigged election
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 15, 2016
Speaking in Trump Tower yesterday, Ms Conway said the Trump team was working on the president’s schedule and an announcement of his chief of staff was “imminent”.
Names proposed in republican circles include Republican National Committee chair Reince Priebus and right-wing media executive Steve Bannon.
Mr Priebus is highly popular in Republican circles and would assist in building bridges after a divisive campaign. Mr Bannon, a former Goldman Sachs executive, is more controversial and clashes with House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Truly weird Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky reminds me of a spoiled brat without a properly functioning brain. He was terrible at DEBATE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 11, 2015
As Mr Trump and his inner circle consider for cabinet postings the likes of Newt Gingrich, retired intelligence officer Lt Michael Flynn, former Goldman Sachs executive and Trump loyalist Steve Mnuchin, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin, it is unclear what mix of moderate and more divisive influences he will mobilise.
Meanwhile Mr Trump met yesterday with Nigel Farage, a key player in the pro-Brexit campaign. In the days leading up to his election, Mr Trump had boasted the US vote would be “Brexit plus plus plus”.
Busy day planned in New York. Will soon be making some very important decisions on the people who will be running our government!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2016
Mr Trump’s fresh take on Twitter comes after he posted on the site the day after his win to say it was “unfair” that protesters were raging after a fair election. But within 12 hours, he backtracked saying he loved that protesters had such passion for the country: “we will all come together and be proud!”.
Mr Trump’s team believed in the campaign his excessive tweeting was damaging, and reportedly took charge of his account in the final weeks.
Thanks- many are saying I'm the best 140 character writer in the world. It's easy when it's fun.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 10, 2012