As Donald Trump prepares for his second term in the White House, he is surrounded by a new group of billionaires, business leaders, and entertainers who are poised to shape his administration. Among them is Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who has been a staunch supporter of Trump and has pledged to help slash federal spending. Other notable figures in Trump’s circle include hedge fund moguls John Paulson and Scott Bessent, political newcomers Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and tech power players like Marc Andreessen and Jeff Yass.
Trump’s inner circle also includes familiar faces, such as his family members and longtime allies like Carl Icahn, Phil Ruffin, and Ike Perlmutter. Wall Street legend Carl Icahn, in particular, has been a key advisor to Trump on a range of topics. As Trump’s second term begins to take shape, there will be plenty of jostling and schmoozing among these influential figures as they vie for coveted cabinet appointments and advisory roles.
Elon Musk, who has transformed himself from a former Barack Obama supporter to a MAGA stalwart, has emerged as a key ally of Trump. The two have developed a close relationship, with Musk endorsing Trump’s candidacy and pledging to help shape the federal budget. Similarly, Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, has donated millions to Trump’s campaign and is co-chairing the Trump transition team, vowing to staff the administration with loyal personnel.
John Paulson, a hedge fund mogul and Trump confidante, is reportedly in the running for Treasury Secretary and has advocated for extending Trump’s tax cuts. Linda McMahon, the co-chair of the Trump transition team, is poised to play a more influential role in Trump’s second administration, with her America First Policy Institute drafting executive actions for the president to consider signing. Dana White, president of UFC, has supported Trump throughout his presidency and is being considered for a role in the administration, possibly as press secretary.
Other key figures in Trump’s new brain trust include Scott Bessent, Vivek Ramaswamy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Marc Andreessen, Timothy Mellon, Joe Rogan, Jeffrey Yass, and Doug Burgum. These individuals bring a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to the table, and their influence on Trump’s administration is likely to be significant. As Trump’s second term gets underway, the role of these influential figures will be closely watched as they help shape the direction of the administration.
