CNN
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Almost immediately it became clear that Donald Trump As he set out to seek re-election Tuesday night, phones began ringing in the president-elect’s orbit and conversation at many dinner tables in the Mar-a-Lago ballroom turned to who would make the roster Trump’s second term.

These quiet discussions have now escalated into an all-out war played out directly on the porch of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. At the table behind the velvet rope where Trump usually holds court Wednesday night, nearly every table was filled as maneuvers were made over who sat where and how close to his own table, two people told CNN.

Viewers spotted Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, Tom Barrack and Trump transition co-chairs Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon strolling through the club early Wednesday. Trump spent part of the day reviewing names Lutnick had previously listed in the months before the election, but some questioned whether Trump should rely solely on his recommendations.

Those already seeking senior positions are working the phones to form alliances with others hoping to gain a foothold in the Trump administration. Many have even booked flights to Florida to meet Trump face-to-face in the coming days, when many decisions are expected to be made.

Trump has already removed many options from the list as he narrows down his options, according to many people familiar with the ongoing chaotic but aggressive process.

New York Republican Elise Stefanik, the House GOP conference chair, is being considered to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

And one of the biggest fights that emerged — over the chief of staff — has since been resolved.

Trump on Thursday named his campaign manager Susie Wiles She claimed to be the first woman to take on the role. Wiles is widely credited with running Trump’s most disciplined campaign.

But that contest previously relied on two names: Wiles and Brooke Rollins, who served in Trump’s first term and runs the America First Policy Institute. Rollins ultimately backed out of competing for the role after it became clear that seeking the part would lead to a serious power struggle with Wiles. Rollins is still expected to have some role in the Trump administration.

During a chaotic transition, Trump was encouraged to move into the chief of staff role more quickly than in 2016, when he waited until the following Sunday to appoint Reince Priebus to the post. Having a chief of staff in place would allow for the creation of a center of power that people can go to instead of calling Trump directly.

However, one person stated that Trump himself has been calling people he wants to see in key positions in recent days.

Over the past few months, Trump has occasionally floated names among the administration’s possible picks but has taken no further interest. Sources close to the former president said Trump is superstitious and often refuses to hold longer talks about who would be in charge before the election.

As he strengthens his staff, Trump is eager to reward those who have stood by him over the past two years, and has made clear in recent private conversations that he will also seek to reconcile those who have done so, even if their perspectives differ. It must be in line with it.

CNN’s Steve Contorno, Kaanita Iyer, Kristen Holmes, Jeremy Herb, Kayla Tausche and Evan Perez contributed to this report.