Key Oligarchs of the Trump Era
During the Trump era (2017–2021), several key oligarchs, businessmen, and political figures were closely linked to President Donald Trump through business dealings, financial contributions, and political influence. Here are some of the prominent oligarchs and figures who were influential during his presidency:
Contents
1. Viktor Vekselberg
- Country: Russia
- Industry: Energy, Technology, and Finance
- Background: Vekselberg is one of Russia’s wealthiest oligarchs and a close associate of Vladimir Putin. He is the founder of the Renova Group, a conglomerate with interests in energy, technology, and other sectors. Vekselberg’s links to Trump come through his connections with former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, as well as his ownership of significant properties in the U.S. Vekselberg was also linked to the controversial Trump Tower meeting and was subject to U.S. sanctions.
2. Oleg Deripaska
- Country: Russia
- Industry: Aluminum, Energy, and Infrastructure
- Background: Deripaska, the founder of Basic Element, one of Russia’s largest industrial groups, has long been considered one of Putin’s closest oligarchs. He had business connections with Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort, who worked as a political consultant for Deripaska. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Deripaska in 2018, and his links to Trump were heavily scrutinized, especially regarding Manafort’s work.
3. Roman Abramovich
- Country: Russia
- Industry: Oil, Steel, and Sports
- Background: Abramovich is best known as the owner of Chelsea Football Club and his wealth derived from Russia’s energy sector, particularly his stake in Sibneft (oil). Although his direct ties to Trump were less prominent, Abramovich’s business dealings in the U.S. and his involvement in a range of industries kept him within the periphery of the Trump era’s oligarchs.
4. Alexander Usmanov
- Country: Russia
- Industry: Metals, Technology, and Telecom
- Background: Usmanov is one of Russia’s richest men and a former major shareholder in the Russian internet giant Mail.ru. He is also associated with the Russian elite’s close ties to Putin. While his direct connections to Trump are not as high-profile as others, Usmanov has maintained relationships with Western business figures and has invested in major international companies.
5. Kirill Shamalov
- Country: Russia
- Industry: Energy, Finance
- Background: Shamalov is a Russian billionaire and the son-in-law of Vladimir Putin. He was involved in various energy-related ventures and had business interests in the U.S. during the Trump administration. His wealth largely stemmed from his stake in the petrochemical company Sibur.
6. Andrey Kovalchuk
- Country: Russia
- Industry: Banking and Finance
- Background: Kovalchuk, a lesser-known figure, had links to some of the key financial and business activities during the Trump administration, particularly through his ties to Russian financial institutions and his role in some international transactions that intersected with Trump’s business interests.
7. Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin
- Country: Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Russia
- Industry: Energy, Real Estate
- Background: Both Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin were involved in several scandals related to President Trump. They were key players in the impeachment inquiry over Trump’s dealings with Ukraine, especially regarding efforts to influence the 2020 presidential election by pressuring Ukrainian officials. Parnas and Kukushkin were connected to Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and had significant business dealings with Ukrainian and Russian interest