Who Will Donald Trump Fire First? We Asked ChatGPT

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As Donald Trump prepares to begin his second presidential term, speculation surrounds potential conflicts within his newly formed cabinet, which includes a mix of longtime allies, political veterans and controversial figures. Newsweek asked ChatGPT who is likely to be fired first.

The potential for internal clashes is notable given the president's history of demanding loyalty and maintaining a direct management style.

Trump has not fired anyone yet, but he has already lost an ally in Matt Gaetz after it became clear there was opposition to his nomination among Senate Republicans.

Gaetz faced scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer.

The list of Donald Trump's hypothetical second-term Cabinet and top officials is an intriguing mix of familiar allies, political figures and some unconventional picks.

If Trump faced significant challenges in his administration, such as policy disagreements, public controversy or management style clashes, speculation could arise about who might bite the bullet first.

Newsweek asked the generative AI tool ChatGPT, "Who Will Donald Trump Fire First?"

Here are some observations based on the personalities and dynamics of these individuals:

Pam Bondi (Attorney General): Pam Bondi's appointment after Matt Gaetz withdrew suggests a fallback choice. If challenges emerge in the Department of Justice—such as criticism of high-profile investigations or controversial legal strategies—Bondi could face pressure.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (Department of Government Efficiency): As unconventional and independently powerful figures, both Musk and Ramaswamy might not align with Trump's style of micromanagement or unpredictability. Clashes over autonomy or inefficiency in achieving outcomes might lead to one of them stepping away—or being asked to.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Secretary of Health and Human Services): RFK Jr.'s controversial stances on vaccines and health policies could become a lightning rod for criticism, potentially making him a political liability if public or congressional backlash mounts.
Kristi Noem (Secretary of Homeland Security): With a role tied to border security and immigration, Noem could face friction over disagreements on implementation or policy priorities, especially if public pressure intensifies on these issues.
Stephen Miller (Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Adviser): Known for his polarizing views, Miller could become a scapegoat if immigration policies cause controversy or alienate moderates.
Tulsi Gabbard (Director of National Intelligence): As a Democrat-turned-independent, Gabbard's alignment with Trump's agenda might be questioned over time, potentially causing tension within the administration.

Newsweek has contacted all of the above people for comment.

Known for making decisions based on loyalty, media perception and performance, Trump's picks often face scrutiny and high turnover.

Trump had a "record-setting" employee turnover rate in his first year in office, according to a Brookings Institution report.

"Over the course of the first year, it is not unusual for presidents to fire poor-performing or ethically compromised staff members," Brookings director Kathryn Dunn Tenpas wrote in the report.

Disagreements in priorities or loyalty tests could influence who departs first.

Predicting specific outcomes is speculative, but high-profile, unconventional appointments—especially those with significant public or policy-related challenges—are often the first to experience turnover.

Trump will likely utter his famous catchphrase "You're fired" at least once during the next administration. For now, it remains to be seen who will be the first to face his fury.

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