Carlyle Group CEO Harvey Schwartz spoke at Semafor's World Economic Summit in Washington, D.C. and noted business leaders need to understand Trump's policy objectives and methods to achieve those policy wins. Schwartz is looking for consistent/concrete rules, something Trump never gives or does.
For Trump II, the digital Caligula it's all image, all the time. He prefers the stick over the carrot and can pull out a Savage Whim with virtually no notice. If he sees something desirable in your direction prepare to be fleeced. It's now his.
How can you build a good government around these predilections? You can't. Trump II is as arbitrary, capricious and fickle as they come. The damage is multiplied by the hyena like layer below him, scavenging for every morsel of approval Trump choses to administer.
Any "rule sets" will come from Congress and/or the Supreme Court, not from the Donarch. Executives and investors would be wise to ask those counterbalancing bodies for assistance.
Oddly, Carlyle's superpower has been influencing the White House and elected officials. Trump II targeted Carlyle co-founder David Rubenstein with two savage whims. First, replacing Rubenstein as Chairman of the Kennedy Center. Second, going after the Smithsonian Institution, another prized Rubenstein patriotic philanthropy endeavor.
Carlyle's Vice Chair of Global Affairs Admiral James Stavridis savaged Trump's Defense Chief for his repeated use of the Signal communication app and for turning the Pentagon into a "back stabbing" enterprise. Stavridis could not find the merit in hiring your brother and your wife.
Private equity underwriters (PEU) are used to setting the rules. PEU legends walked the White House grounds through Red and Blue administrations, earning the title "policy making billionaires."
On May 23rd those grounds may be hosting the Top 25 Trump meme-coin holders. I don't expect any PEUs in that crowd but there may multiple TechGods. They have proven to be a more shameless bunch.
Update 4-25-25: Carlyle's Rubenstein is Fellow and former board member of the Harvard Corporation, the target of another Trump Savage Whim.