U.S. Oligarchs of the Trump Era
During the Trump administration (2017–2021), the term “oligarchs” was often used metaphorically to describe wealthy individuals or corporate magnates with significant influence over policy and governance. Here’s a breakdown of key figures and their areas of impact:
Contents
Key Figures
1. Sheldon Adelson (Deceased, 2021)
- Role: Casino magnate and major Republican donor.
- Influence: Supported pro-Israel policies, including relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. Funded Trump’s campaigns heavily.
2. Robert Mercer
- Role: Hedge fund manager and co-founder of Cambridge Analytica.
- Influence: Played a major role in Trump’s 2016 campaign through financial support and data-driven political strategies.
3. Koch Brothers (Charles and David Koch, David passed in 2019)
- Role: Industrialists and major conservative donors.
- Influence: Advocated for deregulation, tax cuts, and free-market policies, though their stance on Trump was nuanced due to trade policy disagreements.
4. Wilbur Ross
- Role: Secretary of Commerce and former private equity investor.
- Influence: Key figure in trade policies, including tariffs and renegotiation of trade agreements like NAFTA.
5. Stephen Schwarzman
- Role: CEO of Blackstone Group.
- Influence: Acted as an informal advisor on economic issues and tax reforms, benefiting from corporate tax cuts.
6. Carl Icahn
- Role: Billionaire investor and corporate raider.
- Influence: Advocated for regulatory reforms that aligned with his business interests. Resigned as special advisor over conflict-of-interest concerns.
7. Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump
- Role: Senior advisors in the Trump administration.
- Influence: Shaped policy on criminal justice reform, Middle East diplomacy, and business initiatives from within the administration.
8. Elon Musk and Other Tech Magnates
- Role: CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, among other tech leaders.
- Influence: Occasionally advised on renewable energy and technology policy but distanced himself over disagreements on climate issues.
Trends in Influence
Energy and Fossil Fuels
- Figures like Harold Hamm (oil magnate) pushed for deregulation and fossil fuel-friendly policies.
Real Estate
- Trump’s policies, such as opportunity zones and tax reforms, benefited the real estate sector, including Trump’s own businesses.
Finance
- Wall Street figures like Gary Cohn (former Goldman Sachs COO) influenced tax policy and financial deregulation efforts.
Would you like further details on any of these individuals or sectors?