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DONALD Trump’s second term promises to be a reinvention of both the man and his administration, according to his former White House Press Secretary.

With inauguration day fast approaching, Sean Spicer predicts a new Trump presidency full of optimism, strategic clarity, and widespread support.

Portrait of Donald Trump in a blue suit.
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US President-elect Donald Trump’s official portraitCredit: EPA
A large crowd gathered on the West Front of the US Capitol for a presidential inauguration.
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The West Front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, at Trump's first inauguration on January 20, 2017Credit: AFP
Donald Trump being sworn in as president, with Melania Trump and Barron Trump.
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Trump pictured being sworn in as President for the first time in 2017 as wife Melania held the Holy Bible next to their son BarronCredit: AFP
Sean Spicer at a White House press briefing.
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White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer holding a news briefing during his time working for President TrumpCredit: EPA

Don's big day will mark a historic first after he was forced to move the inauguration inside due to the freezing weather, marking the first indoor ceremony since 1985.

Bone-chilling temperatures are predicted to fall over DC as tens of thousands of Americans flock to the Capitol to see the president-elect sworn in.

But that won't be the only big feat on January 20.

Spicer spoke to The US Sun about his old boss's incoming second term.

Read more on Donald Trump

He served as press secretary in the first six months of Trump's term.

It was a fiery and combative tenure which began with his infamous boast that the incoming president's first inauguration crowd was the "largest ever - period".

Spicer predicts a stark contrast in tone between Trump’s 2017 and 2025 inauguration speeches.

"I think it's going to be a very different speech than it was in 2017,” he told The Sun.

“I expect it to be a lot more optimistic, a lot more forward-looking.

"The president, my guess, is going to be a lot more focused on the accomplishments that he really wants to get done in the second term and, to some degree, on his legacy."

Trump plans to sign over 100 executive orders and actions on inauguration day, which Spicer predicts will be historic in their number and scope.

Being out of office for four years has also allowed the Republican strongman time to reflect and refine his goals.

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Unlike most two-term presidents, Trump has had the chance to identify what worked, what didn’t, and what he truly wants to achieve in a second term.

Spicer explained: "When you're out, you have an opportunity to reflect a lot more, to think about what you want to accomplish, but also how to accomplish it.

“And so it's not just aspirational, here's what I wanna do. You have a much better sense of what you can do and how to do it.

“He's had time to actually think and digest ‘what did I do in my first term? What didn't I get done? What do I really want to focus on?’"

A WELCOMING AMERICA

The ex-White House staffer recalls the contentious atmosphere of Trump’s first term, marked by widespread protests and resistance.

The landscape in 2025, however, looks drastically different, with no planned resistance movements or mass opposition.

Corporate America, tech leaders, and prominent donors are showing strong support, and Spicer also said there’s a wave of enthusiasm among Trump’s supporters and team this time around.

He said: "In 2017 we were in office, there was a massive resistance—corporate America, big tech, Hollywood, academia.

Snow-covered ground in front of the US Capitol building.
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Trump’s 2025 inauguration is being moved indoors due to dangerously cold temperatures expected on MondayCredit: Reuters
US Capitol building at sunrise with seating set up for a presidential inauguration rehearsal.
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The US Capitol in Washington DC during a rehearsal of the 2025 presidential inauguration before it was moved indoorsCredit: EPA

"I mean, there were crying rooms around America. ... CEOs from tech and corporate America are flying down to Mar-a-Lago making massive donations.

“There's no planned resistance movements. It's a very, very different environment, a much more welcoming environment, for President Trump this time."

The excitement is palpable, according to Spicer.

“There's so much excitement. Balls are sold out, events are sold out," he continued.

"People are throwing events in a way that they didn't in 2017. The city is excited and electric.

“ I've been a bit jealous that the folks coming in this time with President Trump are riding a wave of excitement in a way that we didn't get in 2017."

TRUMP 2.0: LESSONS LEARNED

The chaos of Trump’s first term also extended to his team, but Spicer notes that things are different now.

The incoming staff, led by seasoned strategist Suzy Wiles, is better equipped to navigate Trump’s unconventional leadership style.

“President Trump leads from the front. You kind of amplify from the back, and it took a while to get used to the fact that he would make decisions and make them known on his own timeline,” Spicer said.

Illustration of Donald Trump's to-do list, including restoring American prestige, ending the Ukraine war, pardoning Jan 6 rioters, mass deportations, and sweeping tax cuts.
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Spicer entered the White House expecting a conventional approach to communications where the press team worked collaboratively to develop strategies and approve messaging.

But Trump often bypassed the traditional process, making decisions and sharing them on his own timeline - especially when he’d take his strong views to then-Twitter.

“[Adapting to Trump’s style] just took a bit of getting used to, but, you know, after a little while, you got there."

"For me, it was baptism by fire, waking up, realizing what he tweeted or said, and then kind of trying to figure out how do we execute on what he said or done or how do we follow up on it."

“But this time, the staff knows that now.”

Trump’s direct and demanding nature is well-known. Spicer described the experience of working under him as a “roller coaster.”

“Behind closed doors, he has high expectations, and if you do a good job, he will praise you in a way that you’ve probably never been praised before,” Spicer said.

“If you screw up, he’s gonna let you know. There’s no mistaking where you stand with President Trump.

“Every day was a roller coaster. There were countless times when I would just pinch myself, saying I can't believe I'm in this room or I'm watching this happen.

Donald Trump at a campaign event.
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Spicer said that working with Trump was a 'roller coaster'Credit: Getty Images - Getty
President Trump on the phone in the Oval Office with staff.
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President Trump (L-R), joined by Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Vice President Mike Pence, senior advisor Steve Bannon, Communications Director Sean Spicer and National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, on the phone with Vladimir PutinCredit: Reuters
President Trump walking with Mike Pence and Sean Spicer.
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Spicer said it took a while to get used to the way Trump did things at the White HouseCredit: Getty
Donald Trump giving a thumbs up at the Republican National Convention.
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Unlike most two-term presidents, Trump has had four years to reflect and refine his goals for AmericaCredit: Getty
Sean Spicer addressing the press.
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Spicer said that things will be a lot different in 2025 compared to Trump's first term in 2017Credit: Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

“There was almost a sense of history occurring every single day."

Spicer offered a key piece of advice for Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s incoming press secretary: check with Trump before moving forward.

“President Trump has a very clear vision of what he wants done, how he wants it done, how he wants it talked about. And so before you assume anything, check with him first.”

READ MORE SUN STORIES

With Trump’s return to the White House next week, Spicer’s reflections paint a picture of a leader and a movement transformed.

The question now is how Trump 2.0 will capitalize on this new momentum — and whether America is ready for the next chapter.

EXCLUSIVE: Body language expert unpicks Trump’s ‘tough guy’ new official portrait

By Sayan Bose, Foreign News Reporter

DONALD Trump's tough guy expressions in the new presidential portrait show he is on a path to "vengeance" against his enemies, a top body language expert has revealed.

Trump also adopted the "angry populist" stance in the new picture - a stark shift from his previous portrait and has decided "not to play nice", according to expert Erik Bucy.

Trump has made a bold statement after ditching his smile for the new presidential portrait ahead of the inauguration ceremony on January 20.

He seems to have recreated his historic scowling mugshot that broke the internet in 2023.

In the new presidential portrait, Trump has a glowering face as he appears to look straight into the camera, like a tough guy.

With a squinted eye and slightly furrowed brow, he makes a strong and assertive expression, says Mr Bucy after analyzing the picture.

He told The US Sun: "Trump's new portrait portends a kind of vengeance against perceived enemies, whether foreign or domestic.

"Presidents who lack smiles and refuse to appear likeable come across as defiant and grievance-ridden."

Trump sensationally defied the odds to be re-elected as US President after a nail-biting election.

READ MORE HERE

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