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Republican Donald Trump will assume the presidency of the United States on January 20, surrounded by a close circle of highly influential individuals, ranging from industry giants to political allies and tech magnates, who will play a key role in his administration.
The business and economy magazine Forbes published a list last Wednesday highlighting the key members of the inner circle of the new American head of state, who won the elections last November.
Elon Musk takes the top spot, recognized not only for his wealth as the richest man in the world but also for having donated over 200 million dollars to support Trump's reelection. He is now joining as co-director of the emerging Department of Government Efficiency, solidifying his position as one of the closest allies to the elected president.
Susie Wiles, the future chief of staff for the White House, earned Trump's trust through her ability to organize and bring discipline to a campaign characterized by chaos, receiving widespread recognition for her work.
Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, a global financial services firm based in New York and a close friend of Trump, was appointed co-chair of his transition and nominated as Secretary of Commerce. His net worth is estimated to be over $1.5 billion.
Stephen Miller will be the future Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy. Recognized as one of the leading advocates for Trump’s mass deportation plans, Miller will oversee a broad portfolio that is already influencing the incoming president's transition decisions.
Marco Rubio, who is being considered for the position of Secretary of State, has transitioned from being a rival in the 2016 Republican primaries to becoming a key ally in the Senate. He is known for his strong stance against Iran and China, although he has expressed his intention to support the policies of the elected president.
Donald Trump Jr., known as his father's "loyalty detector," is the only son frequently involved in his political affairs. His main role is to prevent "problematic actors" from entering the administration. Although he will not hold a formal position, he will join a venture capital firm aligned with the MAGA movement.
Peter Thiel, one of the most influential investors in Silicon Valley and a prominent supporter of Trump, has strong ties to key allies of the president-elect such as JD Vance, Elon Musk, and Vivek Ramaswamy. His decades-long relationship with David Sacks, co-founder of PayPal, and his protégé Jim O'Neill, who worked for his foundation and investment fund, positions him as a central figure in Trump's team.
JD Vance, the elected vice president and an early critic of Trump, played a key role in pressuring senators to confirm cabinet members and was involved in strategic hiring. He is seen as a potential successor in the MAGA movement.
Linda McMahon, nominated as Secretary of Education, co-leads Trump's transition team and heads the think tank America First Policy Institute. Her experience aligns with the vision of the president-elect.
Pam Bondi, former Attorney General of Florida and a key ally of Trump, was appointed Attorney General following Matt Gaetz's withdrawal. Her loyalty, demonstrated during the first impeachment trial, places her at the forefront of the Department of Justice.
Kash Patel, appointed as the FBI director, is known for his loyalty to Trump. He has vowed to go after the president's "enemies," including the media, and faces little opposition from the Republican Senate.
Other names that, according to Forbes, are part of the inner circle of Republican Trump include Scott Bessent, Jared Kushner, Marc Andreessen, Steve Witkoff, Vivek Ramaswamy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., David Sacks, and Tulsi Gabbard.
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