Trump trades public attacks for a behind-the-scenes approach to influence Congress

President Donald Trump 's more measured management of his relationships with Republican lawmakers has been a critical difference between his two terms so far.

Unlike the start of his first term, he knows Republican lawmakers on a first -name basis, passes out his cellphone number to them and frequently hosts them and their spouses at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida .

When Trump first arrived in Washington in 2017 , few congressional Republicans knew him or trusted him.

Republicans say Trump 's defter behind-the-scenes approach most likely has to do with his paper-thin majority in the House .

The House Republican leadership team is using its “phone a friend lifeline with caution,” a source involved in discussions said.

Trump also genuinely likes the Republican leaders of both chambers, administration sources say.

Musk recently spent 45 minutes on the phone lobbying a “difficult” senator on behalf of an administration priority, a senior official said.

Musk has proven to be a valuable ally for Trump , but there are limits to Musk ’s influence.

Musk endorsed Sen. Rick Scott , R-Fla., against Thune and Cornyn in the Republican Senate leadership race last year .