What next for Trump? Golf, Twitter, maybe another run?
When networks projected he had lost his bid for re-election to Joe Biden, President Donald Trump was playing golf.
He’ll soon have plenty more time to enjoy the links if he so desires.
But if there’s one constant for Trump, it is his love of the limelight and few expect this most unusual of presidents to pursue a traditional post-White House life of public reticence, reflective memoir-writing and occasional charitable events.
He will lose the keys to the White House but not his login on Twitter, where Trump and his itchy fingers could still wield powerful control over his Republican Party.
Some allies have already spoken of Trump planning a rematch in 2024.
Only one other president, Grover Cleveland, has served non-consecutive terms, winning in 1892 after narrowly losing re-election four years earlier.
Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said with understatement that Trump who has refused to concede and made unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud - “doesn’t like losing.”
“I would absolutely expect the president to stay involved in politics and would absolutely put him on the shortlist of people who are likely to run in 2024,” he told an Irish think tank. “He’s a very high-energy 74-year-old.”
Trump’s children have made clear that they are still demanding loyalty from Republicans.
The thrice-married New York-born hotel developer and television celebrity has made no secret that he longs for some comforts of his pre-White House days.
“I had a nice life. I had the greatest life,” Trump said in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in his final campaign rally.
His main product to fund that lifestyle has been his own name.