US ELECTION: Know Tech Power Players Jostling For Cabinet Positions in Trum’s Administration

Elon Musk is the most famous (and wealthiest) of a cabal of new allies as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to reenter the White House.

Elon Musk and Donald Teump

The 78-year-old Trump has long treasured his close alliances with the rich and famous, but this time around, he will bring with him a mostly new generation of loyalists that includes podcaster, Joe Rogan, and MMA star, Dana White, among others. 

This 2.0 contingent has curried favour with Trump through a combination of loyalty, campaign donations, endorsements and, of course, flattery. 

Some are expected to serve as cabinet members. Others will likely have unofficial roles as advisors with whom Trump speaks over the phone, on the golf course, on podcasts and via social media.

Besides Musk, there are hedge fund moguls, John Paulson and Scott Bessent—two contenders for Treasury Secretary or other key economic roles—who have vowed to help Musk slash spending.

John Paulson and Scott Bessent

Political newcomers like Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., two other possibilities for cabinet positions or high-powered advisory roles, seek to remake entire federal agencies.

Marc Andreessen

Among tech power players whose stars have risen in Trump’s orbit: Silicon Valley venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, a lifelong Democrat who sided with Trump because of his tech policies and who scored an invitation to Mar-a-Lago on election night, and TikTok shareholder Jeff Yass, who seemingly convinced Trump earlier in the year to back off his threats of banning the social media platform, which Trump later joined.

Jeff Yass

There will be lots of jostling and schmoozing in the coming weeks. Who will win a coveted cabinet appointment or some other role will be a closely watched match of gamesmanship.

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