Three powerful pals who are all part of the so-called "PayPal Mafia," Elon Musk, David Sacks, and Peter Thiel, seem to be influencing hiring and policy decisions in Trump's new government.
Donald Trump is poised to become the 47th president of the United States and return to the White House. Trump has surrounded himself with a network of affluent tech tycoons during his second term. There is more to the incoming Trump administration than politics. Their work relationships and friendships date back many years.Three powerful pals who are all part of the so-called "PayPal Mafia"—Elon Musk, David Sacks, and Peter Thiel—seem to be influencing hiring and policy decisions in Trump's new government.
The majority of Trump 2.0 officials have ties to tech tycoons Musk, Sacks, and Thiel, who have sway over every department.
Trump's close circle: Important people
Here are some of the prominent figures who will be involved in the next Trump administration.
1. JD Vance
Donald Trump will be sworn in as vice president by JD Vance, who once referred to him as "Hitler" and described him as "an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs." 2.0.
Trump's running mate has strong ties to the "PayPal Mafia" and is a Yale Law School graduate. When Vance stood for the US Senate in 2022, Thiel gave him $15 million, and Sacks gave him $900,000 during the Senate election.
In the hours following the formal announcement, Elon Musk backed Vance as Trump's choice for vice president and contributed $250 million to strengthen the Trump-Vance ticket. Donald Trump was also pressured by David Sacks to choose him as his running mate.
The author of the best-selling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" and a member of the Marine Corps will be the third-youngest vice president in US history.
2. Slater, Gail
Gail Slater has been appointed by Donald Trump to head the Department of Justice's antitrust section. She was an economic consultant to Senate Senator JD Vance during Trump's first term in office.
3. Sankar Shyam
Shyam Sankar has reportedly been nominated by Donald Trump for a position at the Pentagon. Peter Thiel co-founded Palantir Technologies, where Sankar serves as Chief Technology Officer.
4. Ramaswamy Vivek
Vivek Ramaswamy, an Indian-American, and Elon Musk have been named co-heads of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by Trump. Peter Thiel has also invested in Ramaswamy's fund, Strive Asset Management, and is close to Ramaswamy.
5. Jim O'Neill
Thiel is also associated with Jim O'Neill, the future deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. He has worked for the Thiel Foundation as well as Clarium Capital and Mithril Capital, two of Peter Thiel's funds. Jim O'Neill and JD Vance worked together at Peter Thiel's Mithril Capital fund beginning in 2016
6. Stephens, Trae
A former employee of Palantir Technologies, which Thiel co-founded, Trae Stephens is currently employed at Peter Thiel's Founders Fund and has apparently being considered for a position at the Pentagon.
7. Masters, Blake
Blake Masters has reportedly being considered by Trump for a number of positions, including director of ATF. He has also worked for Thiel Capital and Thiel Foundation and has a close relationship with Peter Thiel. Blake Masters' two campaigns in Arizona received donations from David Sacks, the White House nominee for AI and Crypto Czar.
8. Stephens, Trae
Peter Thiel's Founders Fund employee Trae Stephens, who is being considered for a position in the Pentagon, was once employed at Palantir Technologies, which Thiel co-founded.
9. Kratsios, Michael
The head of the White House scientific office, Michael Kratsios, has previously worked for Thiel Capital and Clarium Capital, two of Peter Thiel's funds.
10. Isaacman, Jared
Jared Isaacman was chosen by Donald Trump to be the administrator of NASA. Elon Musk is the CEO of SpaceX, where he has made two space flights.
11. Helberg, Jacob
Jacob Helberg, a senior consultant to Palantir Technologies, which Peter Thiel co-founded, will soon be appointed undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment.
12. Andreessen Marc
The co-owner of X, Marc Andreessen, made an investment in Narya Capital, the fund of future vice president JD Vance, in 2020. Additionally, he has contributed to a super PAC (political action group) that supports Donald Trump.
A former employee of Palantir Technologies, which Thiel co-founded, Trae Stephens is currently employed at Peter Thiel's Founders Fund and has apparently being considered for a position at the Pentagon.
7. Masters, Blake
Blake Masters has reportedly being considered by Trump for a number of positions, including director of ATF. He has also worked for Thiel Capital and Thiel Foundation and has a close relationship with Peter Thiel. Blake Masters' two campaigns in Arizona received donations from David Sacks, the White House nominee for AI and Crypto Czar.
8. Stephens, Trae
Peter Thiel's Founders Fund employee Trae Stephens, who is being considered for a position in the Pentagon, was once employed at Palantir Technologies, which Thiel co-founded.
9. Kratsios, Michael
The head of the White House scientific office, Michael Kratsios, has previously worked for Thiel Capital and Clarium Capital, two of Peter Thiel's funds.
10. Isaacman, Jared
Jared Isaacman was chosen by Donald Trump to be the administrator of NASA. Elon Musk is the CEO of SpaceX, where he has made two space flights.
11. Helberg, Jacob
Jacob Helberg, a senior consultant to Palantir Technologies, which Peter Thiel co-founded, will soon be appointed undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment.
12. Andreessen Marc
The co-owner of X, Marc Andreessen, made an investment in Narya Capital, the fund of future vice president JD Vance, in 2020. Additionally, he has contributed to a super PAC (political action group) that supports Donald Trump.
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