Donald Trump ’s 2024 election win sets the stage for his return to the White House , but both his supporters and critics agree that his second term will be far different from his first. While some anticipate benefits, many have raised serious concerns about the potential challenges and risks ahead. Olivia Troye, who served as Vice President Mike Pence ‘s adviser during Trump’s first term, recently went so far as to release a survival manual for incoming White House employees. For individuals getting ready to work under Trump’s direction once more, the guide is a cautionary resource that provides advice on how to handle the challenges of Trump’s second term and what could go wrong.
In the most recent issue of her email newsletter , We Lived It , Troye, now a prominent Trump critic, said the incoming White House staffers will probably feel the same initial excitement as she did. However, soon, she said, people will see the truth, which exposes Trump’s genuine character, and their original perceptions will be contradicted. After that, Troye advised on how to get past these challenges, as reported by HuffPost . She encouraged staff members to remain focused on the people they will eventually serve, be ready for everything, and have the guts to deal with challenging circumstances.
Troye acknowledged the distinct set of obstacles women would face in the Trump White House and provided special advice for them. She urged them to speak up for themselves, set clear limits, create networks of support, and stay strong. She emphasized above all that they should not compromise their value as individuals. The former staffer claims that the workplace under Trump depicts a male-dominated and chauvinistic culture where women must speak up to be successful. She wrote, “I’m not going to lie to you. No matter who you are, you are entering a hostile environment. I was fortunate—Mike Pence was a decent, respectful island in Trump’s sea of contempt. It will be much, much worse this time.”
As reported in her letter, she also wrote, “I implore you as a fellow American to stand firm in the face of adversity, defend our democratic principles, and always put the best interests of the nation, rather than the President, first. You are quite literally our last line of defense in the White House.” This isn’t the first instance as Troye has previously publicly denounced Trump. At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this past August, the former White House national security advisor took the stage to discuss her reasons for leaving the Trump-Pence administration.
She clarified that her motivation to support Kamala Harris stems from the same ideals that drive her political choices. As reported by USA Today , she made it apparent that she was extremely worried about the implications of a second Trump administration for the nation. Meanwhile, with the Republican Party firmly under Trump’s control, and its anti-Trump voices silenced, the former president will return to the Oval Office not only with the experience of having served before but also with a deep reservoir of grievances over how he believes the system failed him. This combination makes the upcoming four years unpredictable, as reported by CNN .