Like, are all relationships subject to The Game? And Halligan is so immersed in that world that she assumes everyone know the rules and operates by them?

I agree with your "safe person," plus it makes me think that in Trump world, you control the press in many ways. One way is cultivation. Like maybe this is the start of bringing a member of the press into the fold: reaching out, luring them via a self-important contact, negging...