Donald Trump Jr. has been the most influential member of the Trump family in the transition, as the president-elect builds the most controversial cabinet in modern U.S. history, according to half a dozen sources with knowledge of his son’s role, which comes giving preference to Trump loyalists but inexperienced candidates over more qualified candidates for important government positions.
Trump, who values loyalty fiercely, has long relied on family members for political advice, but who he listens to often varies.
This time, it’s Don Jr. who has helped cabinet candidates to sink or stand out – from defending Senator JD Vance as Trump’s running mate to vetoing former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s entry into the cabinet, according to the sources consulted, who include campaign donors, personal friends, and political allies.
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Anti-establishment
Don Jr. is expected to join conservative venture capital fund 1789 Capital, though one of the sources said he will continue hosting his politically focused podcast and supporting candidates who champion Trump’s brand of politics.
He will advise his father at the White House, the source added, although he cautioned that Don Jr. is unlikely to be involved in day-to-day government deliberations.
Don Jr. and the Trump-Vance transition team did not respond to a request for comment.
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In addition to ensuring that candidates are loyal to their father, Don Jr. typically seeks out contenders who adopt an anti-establishment worldview, including protectionist economic policies and a reduction in military interventions and foreign aid, according to some sources and those themselves. Don Jr.’s comments on social media site X and in public.
Candidates for office
Two of the candidates championed by Don Jr. could face a difficult Senate confirmation process: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump plans to nominate as the top U.S. health official, and Tulsi Gabbard, who Trump plans to nominate as intelligence chief .
Kennedy is an environmental activist who has spread misinformation about vaccines. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, implied that Russian President Vladimir Putin had valid reasons for invading Ukraine and sparked controversy when she met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of his bloody crackdown on dissent in 2017.
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