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Mark Halperin Breaks Down Why He Believes Trump’s Transition Has Been ‘Extraordinarily Successful’

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Political analyst Mark Halperin explained on Tuesday why he thinks President-elect Donald Trump’s transition has been “extraordinarily successful,” noting the positive reactions from powerful global figures in business and government.

A majority of Americans — 55% — support Trump’s management of the presidential transition period, according to a Wednesday CNN Poll conducted by SSRS. Halperin, on “The Morning Meeting,” acknowledged that some of Trump’s Cabinet picks have faced challenges, but said he thinks they “are the exception that proves the rule.”

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“When we say here that the transition is not only unusual, but unusually successful, it’s just a factual statement. It’s not about rooting for Trump. It’s not about not holding him accountable for not telling the truth. It’s about the reality,” Halperin said. “Now, this may not translate into the presidency, but there are signs that it could, and it probably in some ways will. But this is extraordinarily successful, what he’s doing. And as [former White House Press Secretary ] Sean [Spicer] said, you can see it in the reaction. World leaders, business leaders, members of Congress. The confirmation kerfuffles, I think, are the exception that proves the rule. He’s in such a commanding position.”

“And this victory — winning the nomination and then winning the general after showing the country who he is and what he’s about and making the agenda for a second term really clear — and having a second term not exhausted, not having the exhausted staff, having spent four years writing executive orders and figuring out who he wanted to hire,” he added. “He’s in a position to be a much different and more formidable second term president. And you see that in the press conference where he is, again, it’s just objective fact, he’s confident … he’s not pulling every punch but this is the version of Trump that he thinks can govern and go down in history and that’s what he wants.”

Trump on Monday gave his first press conference since securing a second term, beginning by announcing Japanese technology company SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son pledging a $100 billion investment in America. The president-elect also reiterated his commitment to stopping the “horrible” war between Ukraine and Russia during the press conference.

Over 60% of Americans have confidence in Trump’s ability to handle the Russia-Ukraine war, while 60% are confident that he will sufficiently handle the issue of immigration, according to the CNN poll. The president-elect received over 50% of Americans’ confidence in “providing real leadership,” “handling foreign affairs,” “appointing the best people” and “using the power of the presidency responsibly.”