Trump clearly values favoritism to a high degree. He is doing exactly as he has promised, running the country like a businessman. If you scratch his back, he will scratch yours. Principles take a back seat to "getting the job done". For other examples, see his changed stances on TikTok, various foreign interests, cryptocurrencies, EVs post Elon support, etc. And in the opposite vein, he abandons support for anyone who challenges his authority on principles.
Principled politicians are very rare. Do you think the outgoing administration was particularly principled?
People need to stop thinking of politicians as their friends and having parasocial relationships with them. They're public servants and should be treated as such.
