What a Trump White House Might Look Like

The real estate mogul already has one property on Pennsylvania Avenue.

ByABC News
November 9, 2016, 3:35 AM

— -- Donald Trump may have been viewed as the long-shot candidate for parts of the 2016 presidential race, but now that he is the president-elect, it's likely only a matter of time before the former reality star lays claim to his new residence.

He has talked a lot about how he wasn't a politician before he started his campaign in June 2015. Now that he won in a historic upset, he will arguably become the most important politician in the world.

Here's what we know about what his transition to the White House might look like.

Her First Trip to the White House

When the Trump family was in Washington recently to open a hotel blocks away from the White House, Ivanka Trump joked that little did they know last year that they would be going to Pennsylvania Avenue "one way or the other."

Donald and Melania Trump will need to decide whether to live in the White House (it's not required that the first family live there), and she will have to check it out first, since she has never been inside 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Keeping the Kids Out of Government

PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his family members cut the ribbon during the opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 26, 2016.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his family members cut the ribbon during the opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 26, 2016.

One of the most interesting issues at play is not only what will happen to the Trump business empire but also what role, if any, the eldest Trump children will play in their father's administration.

They have become active surrogates for their father and played crucial roles in critical political decisions throughout the campaign, reportedly including the selection of his running mate.

Donald Trump has said repeatedly on the trail that his children will be left in charge of the family business, but he has also said he will take the traditional route and put his holdings in a blind trust, though those two statements are at odds with each other. If his children take charge of the business, they will be able to communicate with him about it, and that could influence policy decisions.

When asked Donald Trump Jr. about the matter on "Good Morning America" in September, Trump appeared unmoved.

"A blind trust is not a blind trust if it's being run by his children," George Stephanopoulos told Trump.

"It is because he'll have nothing to do with it, George. He said that," he responded.

PHOTO: Trump and family on stage a campaign rally in New York City, June 16, 2015.
Eric Trump, Lara Yunaska Trump, Donald Trump, Barron Trump, Melania Trump, Vanessa Haydon Trump, Kai Madison Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Donald John Trump III, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Tiffany Trump pose for photos on stage after Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the presidency at Trump Tower, June 16, 2015, in New York.

Melania Trump's Vision for Her Role as First Lady

Melania Trump has — with a few notable exceptions — shied away from the campaign trail, opting to stay at home and raise the couple's 10-year-old son, Barron, but she has previewed a few causes that she hopes to promote as first lady.

"I will focus on helping children and women and also about social media. In this 21st century, what's going on, it's very hurtful to children. To some adults as well, but we need to take care of children," she said during an interview with ABC News last week.

She said children get hurt "by social media" and "we need to teach them how to use it, what is right to say, what is not right to say … because it's very bad out there."

Choosing a Cabinet From Familiar Faces

Donald Trump was very public with his vice presidential selection process, effectively auditioning several candidates for the part, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, retired Gen. Michael Flynn and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

PHOTO: Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump as votes add up during the roll call in support of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, July 19, 2016, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump as votes add up during the roll call in support of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on the second day of the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

It's unknown whether he will take the same approach with his Cabinet appointments.

Trump's transition team is being headed up by Christie, and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has reportedly been deeply involved in that, along with many other aspects of the campaign.

ABC News reporting and analysis points to businessman Carl Icahn or the Trump campaign's national finance chairman, Steve Mnuchin, as possible treasury secretary options.

Giuliani or Sheriff Joe Arpaio could be the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Christie has long been seen as a contender for attorney general.

Lots of Action on the First Day

During the campaign, Trump repeatedly said he will "repeal and replace 'Obamacare,'" "immediately suspend the admission of Syrian refugees," "order a review of every single regulation issued over the last eight years," "begin lifting all regulations that are hurting our workers and our businesses," "terminate every single unconstitutional executive order signed by President Obama," "restore the rule of law to our land," "begin implementing plans for construction of a wall along our southern border" and "get rid of" international gangs of thugs and drug cartels — all on his first day.

ABC News' Adam Kelsey, Candace Smith and Devin Dwyer contributed to this report.

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