Job seekers with Trump White House on their resumes face a cold reality

Others are still weighing their options.

Hope Hicks, a senior advisor who left the White House in 2018 and got an important job as Fox Corporation’s chief communications officer before returning in March, has told people near her that she is planning an extended vacation.

Hogan Gidley, former White House deputy press secretary and campaign spokesman, whose duties recently included Calling Mr. Trump the “manliest” president In American History on Fox News, he said he was “considering different things” and not concerned about the upcoming search.

“I think it’s an exaggeration,” said Gidley of the challenges he and his colleagues may face in the months ahead. But then he paused. “Let me put it this way, I hope it’s an exaggeration.”

While former advisers ponder their future in Washington, a small group of advisors will stay with Mr. Trump in Florida and assist him in building his post-presidency presence.

The group of loyalists who have followed him include Dan Scavino, a former White House deputy chief of staff for communications, and Nick Luna, the former bodyman of Mr. Trump. A larger group of aides, including Brian Jack, former White House Political Director, are considering staying in Trump country but have not yet made any final decisions.

Others, including Margo Martin, a former press office worker, and Molly Michael, an assistant to Mr. Trump, are government employees who are paid by the General Services Administration and will help Mr. Trump with the transition process.

While her former colleagues spent the weekend grappling with the cold reality of life in a Washington state where the Democrats are now in charge, Ms. Martin posted a photo on Instagram of her surroundings in Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump’s sun-drenched resort in Palm Beach, Florida.