Trump’s new favorite child takes center stage amid transition as Ivanka and Jared step back from politics
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Looks like Donald Trump Jr is stepping up once again as his dad’s go-to family insider during his father's wild presidential transition.
According to Reuters, a half dozen sources say Don Jr has become the most influential Trump family member in his father’s inner circle, helping guide some of the boldest — and let’s face it, most eyebrow-raising — cabinet picks yet.
Don Jr is the new power player in Trump’s circle
From the start, Don Jr has been deep in the action as he reportedly advocated hard for his buddy Ohio Senator JD Vance to be Trump’s running mate. But he didn’t stop there. Apparently, he also blocked former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from making a comeback in Trump’s cabinet.
Now, Don Jr is rumored to be behind some of the most talked-about nominations in the works. Word has it he’s a big reason Robert F Kennedy Jr is being considered for Health and Human Services Secretary and Tulsi Gabbard might end up as Director of National Intelligence.
Kennedy Jr — a renegade of the iconic Massachusetts political dynasty — is notorious for his anti-vaxxer conspiracies which have stirred up plenty of controversy.
Gabbard, a former Democrat turned MAGA firebrand, grabbed headlines recently when she revealed at a North Carolina rally that she’d officially joined the GOP. According to The Daily Beast, she’s known for playing down alleged crimes by world leaders like Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad — not exactly moves that scream “safe pick.”
Don Jr.’s influence seems to come from two things: his fierce loyalty to his dad and his anti-establishment worldview. Reuters describes his vision as a mix of protectionist economics and scaling back foreign military interventions—ideas that have fueled his rise in Trump’s orbit.
Don Jr doesn't always have his say with cabinet picks
But here’s the thing: Don Jr’s advice isn’t always a slam dunk. For example, he wanted his buddy Ric Grenell — a former ambassador to Germany — to take over at the State Department. Instead, Trump went with Senator Marco Rubio, whose foreign policy aligns more with mainstream GOP thinking.
It was definitely a bit of a curveball for Don Jr, but hey, you win some, you lose some.
Outside of politics, Don Jr has some interesting ventures lined up. He’s about to join the right-wing venture capital fund 1789 Capital and is also listed as a “Web3 ambassador” for World Liberty Financial, the Trump family’s crypto project. And if you’re a fan of his podcasting, don’t worry—he’s not giving that up anytime soon.
While Don Jr plans to keep advising his dad once he’s back in the White House, it won’t be on a day-to-day basis. Still, his presence will likely make him the most active Trump family member in the inner circle.
During Trump’s first term, that role was all about Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. But this time around, Jared and Ivanka are sitting it out— no official roles in the administration.
Less Trump family, more structure
Speaking of Jared, sources told Reuters he’s staying involved behind the scenes — offering informal advice on Middle East policy. Apparently, he’s already been briefing real estate mogul Steve Witkoff, Trump’s pick for special envoy to the region.
Meanwhile, Eric Trump is sticking to his duties at the Trump Organization, and teenage Barron Trump is busy with his studies at NYU (though he reportedly offered some campaign tips, like which podcasts are worth his dad's time).
Interestingly, one source hinted that Trump might lean less on his family this time around. Trump’s co-campaign manager Susie Wiles is expected to step in as White House Chief of Staff, and she’s credited with running a tight ship.
“Stuff is really buttoned down,” the insider told Reuters. “He may not need the family this time like he used to.”
