Trump’s Administration to Be the Wealthiest in Modern U.S. History

The incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is set to be the wealthiest in modern history, with at least 13 billionaires holding key government positions. The combined net worth of Trump’s top appointees is estimated to exceed $460 billion, driven in large part by the inclusion of Elon Musk, whose wealth alone surpasses $400 billion.

If Musk’s wealth is excluded, the combined wealth of Trump’s cabinet still stands at a staggering $7 billion. Here’s a look at some of the wealthiest figures in the administration and their estimated net worths:

1. Elon Musk – Co-Head of Government Efficiency Department

• Net Worth: $439 billion
• As the world’s richest man, Musk’s fortune is tied to his stakes in Tesla, SpaceX, Twitter, and AI startup xAI. His role in the administration is expected to focus on enhancing government efficiency and technological integration.

2. Leandro Rizzuto Jr. – Ambassador to the Organization of American States

• Net Worth: $3.5 billion
• Rizzuto’s family owns Conair, one of the largest private companies in the U.S., known for hair care and grooming products.

3. Warren Stephens – Ambassador to the United Kingdom

• Net Worth: $3.4 billion
• A long-time executive of his family’s Little Rock-based investment bank, Stephens has led the firm since 1986.

4. Linda McMahon – Secretary of Education

• Net Worth: $3 billion
• Co-founder of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), McMahon played a key role in transforming WWE into a global entertainment powerhouse.

5. Howard Lutnick – Secretary of Commerce

• Net Worth: $2.2 billion
• Lutnick is CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, a major financial services firm. He is known for his leadership in financial services and trading.

6. Charles Kushner – Ambassador to France

• Net Worth: $1.8 billion
• A prominent real estate developer, Kushner’s wealth was built through residential and commercial real estate projects. Despite serving jail time for tax evasion and other crimes, he remains a major player in the real estate sector.

7. Jared Isaacman – NASA Administrator

• Net Worth: $1.8 billion
• Isaacman is a private spaceflight pioneer and founder of Shift4 Payments, a leading payments processing company.

8. Thomas Barrack Jr. – Ambassador to Turkey

• Net Worth: $1 billion
• Founder of Colony Capital, Barrack’s real estate private equity firm manages over $80 billion in assets.

9. Steven Witkoff – Special Envoy to the Middle East

• Net Worth: $1 billion
• Witkoff’s real estate empire was built on high-profile commercial and residential properties in New York and other major U.S. cities.

10. Frank Bisignano – Commissioner of the Social Security Administration

• Net Worth: $1 billion
• Bisignano, a former JPMorgan Chase executive, led financial services firm First Data Corporation during the financial crisis, turning it into a payments powerhouse.

11. Scott Bessent – Secretary of the Treasury

• Reported Billionaire Status
• Former Chief Investment Officer at Soros Fund Management, Bessent’s macroeconomic bets on currency shifts have earned him legendary status in the finance world.

12. Vivek Ramaswamy – AI and Cryptocurrency Czar

• Net Worth: $1 billion
• Founder of biotech firm Roivant Sciences and investment firm Strive Asset Management, Ramaswamy’s role will focus on advancing AI and cryptocurrency development.

13. David Sacks – AI and Crypto Development Advisor

• Net Worth: Undisclosed
• A member of the “PayPal Mafia” and a tech entrepreneur, Sacks is tasked with accelerating AI and cryptocurrency growth with minimal regulation.

14. Kelly Loeffler – Administrator of the Small Business Administration

• Net Worth: $800 million
• A former U.S. Senator from Georgia, Loeffler’s wealth comes from her role as CEO of Bakkt, a cryptocurrency exchange platform. Her husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, is CEO of Intercontinental Exchange, owner of the New York Stock Exchange.

15. Doug Burgum – Secretary of the Interior

• Net Worth: $100 million
• Former North Dakota governor and founder of Great Plains Software, Burgum sold his software company to Microsoft for $1 billion in 2000.

16. Mehmet Oz – Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

• Net Worth: $100 million
• The celebrity heart surgeon and TV personality known for “The Dr. Oz Show” disclosed assets valued between $100 million and $315 million during his Senate run.

This unprecedented concentration of wealth within the Trump administration has sparked both praise and criticism. Supporters argue that successful business leaders bring valuable experience and efficiency to government, while critics warn of potential conflicts of interest and the concentration of economic power.