President-elect Trump's relatives will occupy his inner circle during his second term, but his immediate family will step back from formal roles, marking a change in the power relationship from his first administration.
President Trump has given his two daughters' father-in-law the role of ambassador and advisor, and appointed his son's ex-girlfriend as another ambassador. Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are likely to continue their public message to their father while daughter-in-law Lara Trump has the president-elect's support to advance her political career.
However, in a notable difference from his first term, Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner, despite serving as senior advisors for Trump's first four years, are officially He is not expected to hold any office.
Some political insiders say keeping family members close to politics can be a double-edged sword.
“The family members he appoints are very loyal, so given the way Donald Trump operates, that's in some sense It makes sense.” . “But I don't know if that's the best way to run the country.”
Still, several of President Trump's relatives are expected to influence the administration in various ways.
These include Charles Kushner, Ivanka's father-in-law, who was selected as the U.S. ambassador to France, and Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of President Trump's daughter Tiffany, who was appointed senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. .
Kimberly Guilfoyle, who was in a relationship with Donald Trump Jr. until their recent breakup, was appointed ambassador to Greece during the president-elect's second term.
“I think the expectation here is that personal relationships, loyalty and connection defined by family are very important to him. So whether it's Kushner or Kimberly Guilfoyle, It's not surprising…I think what's consistent here is that the president is really loyal to those who are loyal to him,'' the Republican lobbyist said.
A former Trump campaign official said, “Mr. Trump has always valued loyalty and trust in himself. It's safe to assume that people who marry and start families will check these boxes.''
Melania Trump's role as first lady has also been affected by her first term, as she has largely disappeared from the campaign trail during the 2024 campaign, only making notable public appearances at the Republican National Convention and on Election Day. It might turn out to be something different.
And since his son Barron Trump is attending New York University, he won't be living in the White House with his father in Washington, D.C. But unlike his mother, Barron made his mark on the 2024 campaign. reportedly As a voice for the younger generation, he invited fathers to participate in the popular podcast.
Republican strategist Brian Seichik said it's no surprise that “family members are going to be heavily involved” in the next administration, since President Trump kept his relatives to himself during his first term.
“If you look at Mr. Trump's business life and his political life, he has always looked to his family for advice, so this should be no different,” Sejcik said.
Another Republican strategist argued that choosing family members doesn't mean the president-elect won't work with the “best and brightest people.”
Regarding criticism of Trump's election, the strategist said, “I think Donald Trump may cause a lot of noise.''
But Rosi argued that while some of the family members Trump is promoting may have the experience and expertise to fill top roles, “the appearance of fraud is also important.” did.
President Trump's decision to incorporate family members into his political machine prompted accusations of nepotism, especially during his first term.
“No matter how qualified you are, if you try to get a family member into a senior position, people will think, 'Did you get that job because you're good, or did you get that job because you're related to your boss?' 'And that has a negative impact on public trust in public institutions.'
President Trump is not the first president to appoint a family member to a key position in his administration. For example, former President Kennedy appointed his brotherRobert Kennedy, US Attorney General in the 60s – and his brother-in-lawR. Sargent Shriver will lead the Peace Corps.
A few years later, Congress passed anti-nepotism Law.
“Nepotism has been a part of American politics since the beginning. There are many people in Congress whose parents, uncles, or other relatives have held elected officials or certain senior staff positions.” said Mr. Loge, referring to the Kennedy family. But in President Trump's second term, “the brakes seem to have come off.”
Early in his term, President Biden promised in an interview with First Lady Jill Biden that no member of his family or relatives would be involved in government business or hold “public office in this place.”
However, the first lady has been involved in many big decisions made by the president, and drew particular attention for refusing to withdraw from the 2024 campaign before ultimately announcing her withdrawal.
The president's son Hunter Biden, who often traveled unofficially with his father on Air Force One, has also been a target of Republican attacks over legal issues during his administration. Biden, who had insisted for months that he would not issue a pardon, recently granted one after spending a weekend with his family on Nantucket Island. This is a defining move for Biden's presidency.
“Look at other families. Have they been involved in policy decisions or the decisions of the people who make policy? And the answer is generally no,” Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf said. Ta. “Have we ever seen anything like this? That's not likely to be the answer, at least not in the last 50 or 60 years.”
President Trump's two adult sons, Eric and Donald Jr., are expected to play a major role in promoting their father, including through Fox News and online statements.
Ivanka Trump, the president-elect's eldest daughter, joined her father's first administration as a senior adviser after serving as executive vice president of the Trump Organization. Both were exempted from government salaries.
Since then, she has taken a step back from politics and has been conspicuously absent from the 2024 campaign. I have no plans to participate Trump's second term.
Ivanka and Trump's youngest daughter, Tiffany, appeared in New York this week as the president-elect rang the New York Stock Exchange bell after being named Time's Person of the Year. They were also with him on election night.
Jared Kushner is still considered Trump's main voice on Middle East issues. It is said that the possibility is low To take on a formal role.
The job of the White House is tough, and the last Trump administration was not free from turmoil, Roge said.
“You can clearly see people who served in the first government saying this: We were proud to serve in government, but this time we're going to put it behind us,” Loge said. spoke.
