Trump feels the love

POPULAR: EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND, SAYS PRESIDENT-ELECT

- AFP

A shock outsider when he was first elected president eight years ago – and a pariah when he left office – Donald Trump appears to be the most popular person in America as far as the rich and powerful are concerned.

Tech tycoons, US politicians, foreign leaders and even some in the media have been lining up to kiss the ring of the 78-year-old Republican ahead of his return to the White House next month.

“In the first term, everyone was fighting me. In this term, everybody wants to be my friend,” Trump mused on Monday.

In reality, Trump has shown few signs of a personality shift, but many of those who once criticised him are eager to cosy up to an administration that values loyalty above all else.