Donald Trump has rewarded some of his biggest loyalists with top-level positions, but there's not enough government jobs to go around to his allies.
The former president has rewarded strategic persistence when choosing nominees for plum roles in his administration, but multiple advisers told Politico that he was turned off by rumors of presidential ambitions or past criticism of his behavior, and he was annoyed to learn if someone felt entitled to a role or tried to buy his favor – which may have cost Ric Grenell a shot at his dream job as secretary of state.
"An associate of Grenell had approached conservative social media influencers, according to two people with knowledge of the situation, offering paid contracts of as much as five figures to post favorably about Grenell," the website reported. "One such contract, obtained by Politico and not previously reported, outlined that the influencer would do so during 'peak posting times,' that 'content must appear genuine,' and it could not 'appear as an overt advertisement or promotional message.'"
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The proposed social media campaign never really took off, organizers said, but Grenell made clear in private conversations that he wanted to lead the State Department if Trump was re-elected, saying it was secretary of State “or bust," according to one source close to Trump – but the job eventually went to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).
“People assume the president wants a big personality who is pushing the envelope," said a source familiar with the transition. "That’s not always the case. I think there were a lot of questions about whether Ric was diplomatic enough to be secretary of state,” said a person familiar with the transition."
"Ric was offered several positions that he turned down," that person added. "It’s not like he was shut out.”
Trump did reward some loyalists, like FBI director nominee Kash Patel and U.S. ambassador to NATO nominee Matthew Whitaker, with top jobs after they fought to remain in contention, but a person close to Grenell's situation said the president-elect didn't want to alienate his allies but didn't have enough high-ranking roles to go around.
“I think there is a need and a desire to keep these people close,” that person said. “They are loyalists who have been really successful at getting Trump elected. Where does Trump park these people?"