One former long-time adviser told thePost:“He needs someone there to say ‘Here’s a really bad idea,and this is why’.”

Another long-time confidante told the newspaper Trump’s post-presidency life at Mar-a-Lago seemed “sad” and that,in attempting to make things like the White House,he had created a “Barbie Dream House miniature”.

Former aides also said that,having refused to accept losing the 2020 election,Trump was not interested in setting up a presidential library or a foundation like his predecessors.

In a statement,a spokesman for Trump responded that the former president had spent his time since leaving office “continuing to build up the MAGA[Make America Great Again] movement and helping elect America First candidates across the country.”

“There is nobody who has worked harder to advance the conservative movement,” the spokesman claimed.

“President Trump continues to be the single,most dominant force in politics and people,especially unnamed sources who purport to be close to him,should never doubt his ability to win in a decisive and commanding fashion.”

On Tuesday (AEDT),the congressional committee investigating the riot at the US Capitol on January 6 last year,referred Trump to the Department of Justice,recommending four criminal charges including insurrection.

In a long statement on Truth Social,his social media network,Trump responded that the proposed charges were “fake” and he had “done nothing wrong”.

“These folks don’t get it that when they come after me,people who love freedom rally around me. It strengthens me. What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.

“This whole business of prosecuting me is just like impeachment was – a partisan attempt to sideline me and the Republican Party.”

However,Mitch McConnell,the Republican leader in the Senate,apparently referring to Trump,said:“The entire nation knows who is responsible for that day”.

The Telegraph,London