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US President-elect Donald Trump has picked some very wealthy people to join his administration. A handful of the billionaires Mr Trump has tapped have a combined net worth of hundreds of billions of dollars, higher than the GDP of many countries. One of those is Howard Lutnick, who was chosen for Secretary of Commerce. His net worth is estimated to be $3.16 billion. He’s a big supporter of Trump’s plan to enact tariffs. Picture: Andrew Harnik/Getty
1/53US President-elect Donald Trump has picked some very wealthy people to join his administration. A handful of the billionaires Mr Trump has tapped have a combined net worth of hundreds of billions of dollars, higher than the GDP of many countries. One of those is Howard Lutnick, who was chosen for Secretary of Commerce. His net worth is estimated to be $3.16 billion. He’s a big supporter of Trump’s plan to enact tariffs. Picture: Andrew Harnik/Getty
Gov Doug Burgum was nominated for Secretary of the Interior. He made a fortune in tech and his net worth is estimated to be at least $630 million. He is poised to enact Mr Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” policy. Picture: Andrew Harnik / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
2/53Gov Doug Burgum was nominated for Secretary of the Interior. He made a fortune in tech and his net worth is estimated to be at least $630 million. He is poised to enact Mr Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” policy. Picture: Andrew Harnik / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
Elon Musk is the richest person on the planet. According to the latest estimates, his net worth is $693 billion. Mr Trump picked Mr Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, named after the meme coin DOGE. He’s promised to cut $3.16 trillion ($US2 trillion) from US government spending, a major shakeup. Picture: Anna Moneymaker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
3/53Elon Musk is the richest person on the planet. According to the latest estimates, his net worth is $693 billion. Mr Trump picked Mr Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, named after the meme coin DOGE. He’s promised to cut $3.16 trillion ($US2 trillion) from US government spending, a major shakeup. Picture: Anna Moneymaker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
Vivek Ramaswamy founded bioscience company Roivant Sciences and is worth an estimated $1.5 billion. He will lead DOGE with Elon Musk, an agency that is set to transform the United States of America. Picture: Mandel Ngan / AFP
4/53Vivek Ramaswamy founded bioscience company Roivant Sciences and is worth an estimated $1.5 billion. He will lead DOGE with Elon Musk, an agency that is set to transform the United States of America. Picture: Mandel Ngan / AFP
Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is worth an estimated $5 billion. She’s a “fierce” advocate for parental rights and plans to massively reduce federal oversight of schools. Picture: Anna Moneymaker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
5/53Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is worth an estimated $5 billion. She’s a “fierce” advocate for parental rights and plans to massively reduce federal oversight of schools. Picture: Anna Moneymaker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
Trump’s nominee to be Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is an investor and hedge fund manager. The billionaire is an advocate for deficit reduction and deregulation. Picture: Kevin Dietsch / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
6/53Trump’s nominee to be Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is an investor and hedge fund manager. The billionaire is an advocate for deficit reduction and deregulation. Picture: Kevin Dietsch / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
Jared Isaacman is the founder of payment processing company Shift4 Payments and is worth about $1.6 billion. He will lead NASA. Critics have raised concerns about a possible conflicts of interest due to his close ties with SapceX CEO Elon Musk. Picture: Patrick T. FALLON / AFP
7/53Jared Isaacman is the founder of payment processing company Shift4 Payments and is worth about $1.6 billion. He will lead NASA. Critics have raised concerns about a possible conflicts of interest due to his close ties with SapceX CEO Elon Musk. Picture: Patrick T. FALLON / AFP
Businessman Warren Stephens is worth about $5 billion. He’s been selected as the US ambassador to the United Kingdom. Picture: Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
8/53Businessman Warren Stephens is worth about $5 billion. He’s been selected as the US ambassador to the United Kingdom. Picture: Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Andrew Ferguson has been picked as Federal Trade Commission chair. He has pledged to end what he called a “vendetta against competition and free speech” by “Big Tech”. Picture: Federal Trade Commission
9/53Andrew Ferguson has been picked as Federal Trade Commission chair. He has pledged to end what he called a “vendetta against competition and free speech” by “Big Tech”. Picture: Federal Trade Commission
CEO of Colony Capital Tom Barrack has been nominated as the United States Ambassador to Turkey. Picture: Jim Watson / AFP
10/53CEO of Colony Capital Tom Barrack has been nominated as the United States Ambassador to Turkey. Picture: Jim Watson / AFP
Alina Habba, a lawyer who has represented Mr Trump, has been selected as Counselor to the President. She used to work as a fashion merchandiser and was a low-profile lawyer before representing Mr Trump. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Rourke
11/53Alina Habba, a lawyer who has represented Mr Trump, has been selected as Counselor to the President. She used to work as a fashion merchandiser and was a low-profile lawyer before representing Mr Trump. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Christopher Landau will be nominated as Deputy Secretary of State. He’s expected to enact an “America First Foreign Policy” including cracking down on illegal immigration and imposing tariffs. Picture: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images
12/53Christopher Landau will be nominated as Deputy Secretary of State. He’s expected to enact an “America First Foreign Policy” including cracking down on illegal immigration and imposing tariffs. Picture: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Rodney Scott has been picked to lead Customs and Border Protection. He’ll be tasked with cracking down on illegal immigration. Picture: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
13/53Rodney Scott has been picked to lead Customs and Border Protection. He’ll be tasked with cracking down on illegal immigration. Picture: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Mr Trump named David Perdue as his pick to be ambassador to China, a key trade partner the Republican has promised to impose punishing tariffs on. Picture: Dominick Reuter/AFP
14/53Mr Trump named David Perdue as his pick to be ambassador to China, a key trade partner the Republican has promised to impose punishing tariffs on. Picture: Dominick Reuter/AFP
David Sacks has been selected to be the so-called “White House A.I. Crypto Czar”. Mr Trump received support from crypto investors during the election cycle and has released his own crypto, known as Trump meme coin (also called MAGA or TRUMP). Picture: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/ AFP
15/53David Sacks has been selected to be the so-called “White House A.I. Crypto Czar”. Mr Trump received support from crypto investors during the election cycle and has released his own crypto, known as Trump meme coin (also called MAGA or TRUMP). Picture: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/ AFP
Caleb Vitello will lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE. Picture: Immigration and Customs Enforcement
16/53Caleb Vitello will lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE. Picture: Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Kelly Loeffler is expected to be the administrator of the Small Business Administration. Picture: Mandel Ngan/AFP
17/53Kelly Loeffler is expected to be the administrator of the Small Business Administration. Picture: Mandel Ngan/AFP
Paul Atkins, a big proponent of crypto, will lead the Securities and Exchange Commission. Picture: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images North America/AFP
18/53Paul Atkins, a big proponent of crypto, will lead the Securities and Exchange Commission. Picture: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images North America/AFP
Tiffany Trump’s father-in-law Massad Boulos will be Mr Trump’s Middle East adviser. Picture: Jeenah Moon for The Washington Post via Getty Images
19/53Tiffany Trump’s father-in-law Massad Boulos will be Mr Trump’s Middle East adviser. Picture: Jeenah Moon for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Kash Patel has been selected as Mr Trump’s FBI director. The lawyer is a key Trump loyalist and critics have warned he could lead a campaign of retribution for perceived attacks on Mr Trump. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP
20/53Kash Patel has been selected as Mr Trump’s FBI director. The lawyer is a key Trump loyalist and critics have warned he could lead a campaign of retribution for perceived attacks on Mr Trump. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP
Charles Kushner, who was pardoned of federal charges by Mr Trump in his first term, was picked as ambassador to France. He is the father of Jared Kushner, who is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka. Picture: Chris Hondros/Getty Images North America/AFP
21/53Charles Kushner, who was pardoned of federal charges by Mr Trump in his first term, was picked as ambassador to France. He is the father of Jared Kushner, who is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka. Picture: Chris Hondros/Getty Images North America/AFP
General Keith Kellogg is Mr Trump’s nominee to be Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Mr Trump has pledged to end the war in Ukraine which began when Russia invaded the country in 2022, a major escalation of a conflict that started in 2014. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP
22/53General Keith Kellogg is Mr Trump’s nominee to be Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Mr Trump has pledged to end the war in Ukraine which began when Russia invaded the country in 2022, a major escalation of a conflict that started in 2014. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP
Jamieson Greer is Mr Trump’s nominee to be the US trade representative. Trump said Greer would focus on the “massive Trade Deficit, defending American Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Services, and opening up Export Markets everywhere”. Picture: Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images North America via AFP
23/53Jamieson Greer is Mr Trump’s nominee to be the US trade representative. Trump said Greer would focus on the “massive Trade Deficit, defending American Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Services, and opening up Export Markets everywhere”. Picture: Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images North America via AFP
John Phelan has been named US Secretary of the Navy. He has no military experience, but reportedly has a large art collection. Picture: MSD Capital
24/53John Phelan has been named US Secretary of the Navy. He has no military experience, but reportedly has a large art collection. Picture: MSD Capital
US Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) (C-L) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) (C-R) pray with other lawmakers and audience members at the America First Agenda Summit, at the Marriott Marquis hotel July 26, 2022 in Washington, DC. Picture: Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP
25/53US Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) (C-L) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) (C-R) pray with other lawmakers and audience members at the America First Agenda Summit, at the Marriott Marquis hotel July 26, 2022 in Washington, DC. Picture: Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP
Brooke Rollins has been picked to be Secretary of Agriculture. The lawyer is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank and has been tasked with “protecting American farmers”. Picture: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
26/53Brooke Rollins has been picked to be Secretary of Agriculture. The lawyer is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank and has been tasked with “protecting American farmers”. Picture: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Lori Chavez-DeRemer will head the head the Department of Labor. She’s popular with unions due to her pro-worker record. Picture: Anna MONEYMAKER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
27/53Lori Chavez-DeRemer will head the head the Department of Labor. She’s popular with unions due to her pro-worker record. Picture: Anna MONEYMAKER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
Doctor Janette Nesheiwat has been chosen as the next surgeon general. She has worked as a Fox News medical contributor. Picture: Terry Wyatt / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
28/53Doctor Janette Nesheiwat has been chosen as the next surgeon general. She has worked as a Fox News medical contributor. Picture: Terry Wyatt / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
Trump has picked Dr Marty Makary as Food and Drug Administration commissioner. He has long campaigned for change in public health. Picture: Supplied
29/53Trump has picked Dr Marty Makary as Food and Drug Administration commissioner. He has long campaigned for change in public health. Picture: Supplied
Scott Turner, a former NFL player, has been nominated as Trump’s Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. He’s previously worked as a motivational speaker and pastor. Picture: Anna Moneymaker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
30/53Scott Turner, a former NFL player, has been nominated as Trump’s Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. He’s previously worked as a motivational speaker and pastor. Picture: Anna Moneymaker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
Russ Vought has been nominated as the Office of Management and Budget director. He’s a co-author of Project 2025, a conservative policy plan to reshape the United States. Picture: Dcwonkywonk
31/53Russ Vought has been nominated as the Office of Management and Budget director. He’s a co-author of Project 2025, a conservative policy plan to reshape the United States. Picture: Dcwonkywonk
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is Trump’s choice to be US Attorney General. She’s the chair for the Center for Litigation at the America First Policy Institute. Bondi is the replacement pick after Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination. Picture: Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
32/53Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is Trump’s choice to be US Attorney General. She’s the chair for the Center for Litigation at the America First Policy Institute. Bondi is the replacement pick after Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination. Picture: Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
Matthew Whitaker has been picked as the US ambassador to NATO. He has a background in law enforcement and not foreign policy. Trump said Whitaker would ensure US interests are “advanced and defended” and that he would “put AMERICA FIRST”. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer
33/53Matthew Whitaker has been picked as the US ambassador to NATO. He has a background in law enforcement and not foreign policy. Trump said Whitaker would ensure US interests are “advanced and defended” and that he would “put AMERICA FIRST”. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer
TV doctor Mehmet Oz is Trump’s pick to serve as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator, meaning he will be in charge of Medicare and Medicaid. The agency has 6000 workers and a $1.74 trillion budget. Picture: Ryan Collerd / AFP
34/53TV doctor Mehmet Oz is Trump’s pick to serve as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator, meaning he will be in charge of Medicare and Medicaid. The agency has 6000 workers and a $1.74 trillion budget. Picture: Ryan Collerd / AFP
Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Transportation is former Rep. Sean Duffy. He is a former cast member on the Real World, and a former Fox News contributor and host. Picture: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP
35/53Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Transportation is former Rep. Sean Duffy. He is a former cast member on the Real World, and a former Fox News contributor and host. Picture: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP
Brendan Carr has been picked by Mr Trump to be chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). He wrote the FCC chapter in Project 2025 and has pledged to “dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans”. Picture: AFP
36/53Brendan Carr has been picked by Mr Trump to be chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). He wrote the FCC chapter in Project 2025 and has pledged to “dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans”. Picture: AFP
Chris Wright has been picked to be the energy secretary in the Trump administration. He’s a big supporter of oil and gas development. Picture: Chris Wright/LinkedIn
37/53Chris Wright has been picked to be the energy secretary in the Trump administration. He’s a big supporter of oil and gas development. Picture: Chris Wright/LinkedIn
Steven Cheung will serve as the White House Director of Communications in the upcoming Trump administration. Picture: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images North America/AFP
38/53Steven Cheung will serve as the White House Director of Communications in the upcoming Trump administration. Picture: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images North America/AFP
President-elect Donald Trump announced on November 15, 2024 that campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt will serve as his White House press secretary. Picture: AFP
39/53President-elect Donald Trump announced on November 15, 2024 that campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt will serve as his White House press secretary. Picture: AFP
Todd Blanche, seen here with Mr Trump, has been picked to be Deputy Attorney General. He oversaw Mr Trump’s legal defence for multiple indictments. Picture: Mark Peterson / POOL / AFP
40/53Todd Blanche, seen here with Mr Trump, has been picked to be Deputy Attorney General. He oversaw Mr Trump’s legal defence for multiple indictments. Picture: Mark Peterson / POOL / AFP
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is Mr Trump’s nominee to be the next Health and Human Services Secretary. He has pledged to “Make America Healthy Again” but critics have warned about his controversial views, including on vaccines. Picture: Allison Robbert/AFP
41/53Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is Mr Trump’s nominee to be the next Health and Human Services Secretary. He has pledged to “Make America Healthy Again” but critics have warned about his controversial views, including on vaccines. Picture: Allison Robbert/AFP
Doug Collins is Mr Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. A Baptist minister, he has served in the Navy and Air Force Reserve. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via AFP
42/53Doug Collins is Mr Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. A Baptist minister, he has served in the Navy and Air Force Reserve. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via AFP
Tulsi Gabbard is Mr Trump’s nominee to be Director of National Intelligence. A military veteran, Ms Gabbard has made controversial remarks about Syria and Ukraine. Picture: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images via AFP
43/53Tulsi Gabbard is Mr Trump’s nominee to be Director of National Intelligence. A military veteran, Ms Gabbard has made controversial remarks about Syria and Ukraine. Picture: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images via AFP
Mr Trump nominated Florida senator and outspoken China hawk Marco Rubio for secretary of state. Mr Trump said in a statement that Mr Rubio is “a very powerful Voice for Freedom” and “a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries.” Picture: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP
44/53Mr Trump nominated Florida senator and outspoken China hawk Marco Rubio for secretary of state. Mr Trump said in a statement that Mr Rubio is “a very powerful Voice for Freedom” and “a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries.” Picture: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP
Mr Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Defense is Fox News host Pete Hegseth. Picture: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images via AFP
45/53Mr Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Defense is Fox News host Pete Hegseth. Picture: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images via AFP
Mr Trump’s nominee to be Homeland Security Secretary is South Dakota Govenor Kristi Noem. Mr Trump said she would “work closely with ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan”. Picture: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images via AFP
46/53Mr Trump’s nominee to be Homeland Security Secretary is South Dakota Govenor Kristi Noem. Mr Trump said she would “work closely with ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan”. Picture: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images via AFP
Former US Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe is Mr Trump’s choice to lead the Central Intelligence Agency. He’s considered a traditional pick. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP
47/53Former US Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe is Mr Trump’s choice to lead the Central Intelligence Agency. He’s considered a traditional pick. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP
Mike Huckabee was selected by Mr Trump to be ambassador to Israel. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP
48/53Mike Huckabee was selected by Mr Trump to be ambassador to Israel. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP
Elise Stefanik has been selected as the US ambassador to the United Nations. The Republican Congresswoman has been critical of the UN. Picture: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/AFP
49/53Elise Stefanik has been selected as the US ambassador to the United Nations. The Republican Congresswoman has been critical of the UN. Picture: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/AFP
Mr Trump has picked Michael Waltz, a former army special forces veteran, for the crucial National Security Advisor post in the White House. That means he will be a key advisor in the incoming adminstration as it faces a raft of foreign policy challenges, including the wars in Ukraine, Lebanon and Gaza. Picture: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP
50/53Mr Trump has picked Michael Waltz, a former army special forces veteran, for the crucial National Security Advisor post in the White House. That means he will be a key advisor in the incoming adminstration as it faces a raft of foreign policy challenges, including the wars in Ukraine, Lebanon and Gaza. Picture: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP
Mr Trump nominated Lee Zeldin, a former congressman and early loyalist of the Republican, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency and oversee US environmental policy.He’s expected to immediately undo dozens of environmental regulations. Picture: Yuki Iwamura/AFP
51/53Mr Trump nominated Lee Zeldin, a former congressman and early loyalist of the Republican, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency and oversee US environmental policy.He’s expected to immediately undo dozens of environmental regulations. Picture: Yuki Iwamura/AFP
Tom Homan has been selected as Mr Trump’s border czar and will set policy for agencies including the Department of Homeland Security. He has indicated he would order the deportation of entire families. Picture: Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images
52/53Tom Homan has been selected as Mr Trump’s border czar and will set policy for agencies including the Department of Homeland Security. He has indicated he would order the deportation of entire families. Picture: Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Susie Wiles, 66, will serve as Mr Trump’s White House chief of staff. She normally works quietly behind the scenes. Picture: Supplied
53/53Susie Wiles, 66, will serve as Mr Trump’s White House chief of staff. She normally works quietly behind the scenes. Picture: Supplied
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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/business/billionaires-irrevocably-changing-america/image-gallery/48f5e02eb83714b345f71ef98e135c70