Today Trumpworld descends on Washington, Donald moves back into the White House (Melania will be there too, at least sometimes), and the carnival of sycophants, neglected Trump children, and tech bros (first-timers!) will start to get comfortable. Once the indoor inaugural proceedings are complete, the real chaos will begin: Donald Trump is expected to drop a round of executive orders on his first day in the job. It’s a stark reminder of one of the most pervasive aspects of a Trump presidency: the unrelenting pace, the swirl of constant drama, the pull of attention this particular president demands.
During Trump 1.0, this specific attention black hole was referred to, sometimes derisively, as palace intrigue. The first chaotic administration was full of it: Who was warring with whom, bending Trump’s ear, or allying with former enemies was often the stuff of outrageous, breathless news cycles—but it doubled as the actual tea leaves that determined policy. For example, whichever Stephen was in charge (Bannon or Miller) at any given moment determined if our immigration policy would be merely offensive in rhetoric or actually devastating in action.
This time will be no different. Well, it will be a little different—it seems as if many more people are willing to align themselves with Trump 2.0. Everyone wants part of the action, which means Donald Trump will have more pawns to play with, more intra-MAGA wars to preside over, and plenty to post about.
To brace for what is coming, we at Slate dove headfirst into the new Trump World Order, to present you with the starting lineup. These are the people we’ve identified as the most important players in Trumpworld—for the time being. We’ve categorized them in a few ways—there are the returning alums, the fresh blood and the converts, as well as the family members, Trump’s fellow Floridians, and of course, his friends from the Fox News extended universe. We’ve taken a close look at what brought them into the fold, and what might get them kicked out. Welcome to the next four years—or at least the next few months.
•
The biggest punch line of the first Trump administration is back with surprising swagger.
•
By Scaachi Koul
Will the ever-shafted first daughter finally make her mark?
•
By Heather Schwedel
The tallest mystery in America.
•
This Trump in-law is more than a substitute for Ivanka. She’s the family’s political future.
•
Maybe she’s finally figured out how to make this whole presidency thing work for her.
•
By Ben Mathis-Lilley
Wow, that’s a lot of corruption and crime!
•
By Ben Mathis-Lilley
The vice president already seems to be on the outside looking in.
•
By Scaachi Koul
The second lady has one job in this administration.
•
By Jim Newell
Don’t underestimate the superpower of Trump’s “ice maiden.”
•
By Tony Ho Tran
Welcome to a power struggle for the ages.
•
He nearly managed to get himself kicked out of MAGA world already. What could go wrong?
•
By Molly Olmstead
He seems absurd. He seems like a has-been. But he can’t be dismissed.
•
By Jeremy Stahl
He was horrifying in Trump’s first term. He’s somehow gotten worse.
•
By Mark Joseph Stern
Will Clarence Thomas stay on the bench long enough to keep his wife relevant?
•
By Fred Kaplan
The woman Kremlin TV calls its “girlfriend” now has a terrifying amount of power.
•
By Laura Helmuth
He’s nostalgic for the good old days of public health—when more people died.
•
By Shannon Palus
America’s TV doctor just got a big promotion.
•
By Jill Filipovic
Even in a sea of unqualified and disturbing nominees, this guy stands out.
•
By Jim Newell
How long can Trump’s secretary of state last in this place?
•
By Fred Kaplan
Not this guy again.
•
By Henry Grabar
Meet the nation’s top conspiracist immigration cop.
•
By Luke Winkie
Trump’s education secretary may soon hate the place she finds herself in.
•
By Dahlia Lithwick
The incoming FBI director has an enemies list. He’ll soon have the resources to act on it.
•
By Alexander Sammon
She crusaded against colleges. Now she’s graduated to the U.N.
•
By Nitish Pahwa
The new FCC boss has big plans—and even bigger grudges.
•
By Nitish Pahwa
Trump’s newest and richest allies have a radical vision. It’s already reshaping the country.
•
By Molly Olmstead
A small cadre of evangelical leaders is close to Trump. Only one is his guiding light.
•
By Fred Kaplan
Trump fundamentally misunderstands Putin, Xi, and other tyrants. They know it all too well.
•
By Dan Kois
He finally has the America he wanted. There’s no telling what he does with it.
