The American think-tank system, emerged in the early 20th has always played a leading role in foreign policy development. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, is a leading intellectual institution which promoted active international engagement and created many foreign policy ideas for various US administrations. They have proved very essential during the Cold War, providing expertise for the White House, regarding the Soviet Union. The leading American think-tanks have developed the revolving door system, allowing scholars to work for the government and allowing former officials to become think-tank experts.

While the community is celebrating the 115th anniversary of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace this year, the Ideas industry is facing major challenges. While such industry giants as The Atlantic Council, Brookings Institution, Council for Foreign Relations are still going strong, Trump presidency posed a serious challenge for them. Mr. Trump attitude toward think community, which for many years provided an expertise to various US leaders, was different. He cared less for the advice, provided by the think-tank scholars. The leading conservative think-tankers have also turned against him, writing opinion pieces against the flamboyant candidate. Donald Trump's presidency has posed a serious challenge to the think tank community in Washington, D.C. The majority of the US think tanks, with the exception of the Heritage Foundation were not able to approach the new administration in the White House. This article examines difficulties that think tank scholars have faced in trying to adapt to an unorthodox administration, including alternative avenues these experts have sought to bring their work before policymakers and the public.