Donald Trump’s second presidential administration is poised to be shaped by a diverse group of billionaires, business leaders, and entertainers. Among them is Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who has become a staunch supporter of Trump. Other key figures include hedge fund moguls John Paulson and Scott Bessent, who may serve in key economic roles in the administration, and political newcomers like Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who are pushing for significant changes in federal agencies.
Tech power players like Silicon Valley venture capitalist Marc Andreessen and TikTok shareholder Jeff Yass have also risen in Trump’s orbit, with Andreessen even endorsing Trump and scoring an invitation to Mar-a-Lago on election night. Trump is expected to continue consulting with his family members, including daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who may informally advise him. Additionally, Trump’s longtime billionaire allies like Carl Icahn and Phil Ruffin are expected to play a role in shaping his administration.
The coming weeks will be filled with jostling and schmoozing as individuals vie for coveted cabinet appointments and other key roles in the administration. Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and a longtime Trump ally, is co-chairing the Trump transition team and has pledged to staff the administration with personnel loyal to Trump. Other key figures include Linda McMahon, Dana White, and Joe Rogan, who have all played significant roles in supporting Trump’s campaigns and may have influential positions in the administration.
John Paulson, a hedge fund mogul and Queens native like Trump, is reportedly a leading candidate for Treasury Secretary and has advocated for extending Trump’s tax cuts and cutting federal spending. Linda McMahon, co-chair of the Trump transition team, is expected to play a more influential role in Trump’s second administration and has been involved in drafting executive actions for Trump to consider. Dana White, president of UFC, has been a long-time supporter of Trump and may take on a new role in the administration, potentially as press secretary.
Trump’s relationship with Elon Musk has been particularly noteworthy, with Musk donating significant sums to pro-Trump PACs and mobilizing a get-out-the-vote operation in swing states. Musk has expressed a desire to slash federal spending by $2 trillion annually and Trump has praised him as a “super genius.” Other figures like Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are advocating for significant changes in federal agencies, with Kennedy reportedly being tapped to oversee public health agencies in the administration.
Overall, Trump’s second administration is shaping up to be influenced by a diverse group of individuals from various sectors, including business, entertainment, and tech. With a focus on cutting federal spending, remaking agencies, and implementing key policy changes, these individuals are poised to play key roles in shaping the direction of the administration. As the final cabinet appointments and roles are determined, the influence of these figures will be closely watched as they work alongside Trump to implement his agenda.
