> How so?
Do The Math!!
R1 passes 1.2V/240r= 0.005 Amps into R2.
Output voltage is supposed to be 120V, so around 118V across R2.
118V * 0.005A is 0.59 Watts.
Most trimmers are rated 0.25W, maybe 0.5W.
Smoke. Or maybe just slow disintegration.
AND.... you do NOT need full-range adjustment from 1.25V to.... wait a second, 1.25V times 5240/240 is 27V, not 120V! The R2 leg must be near 23K, not 5K.
This suggests 20K fixed plus 0-5K trim, for 105V to 130V trimmability. Max dissipation in the trim is 0.005A^2 * 5000 or 0.125V, acceptable in a 1/4W trimmer.