From the gilded halls of Wall Street to the corridors of political power, Jewish figures are set to play pivotal roles in Donald Trump's second administration. As familiar faces return and new players emerge, these influential Jewish friends and advisers will shape everything from Middle East policy to domestic affairs.
The Family Circle
Jared Kushner & Ivanka Trump: The Quiet Influence
Once the most visible Jewish faces of the Trump administration, this power couple has stepped back – but their influence lingers. During Trump's first term, they were the Jewish face of the administration, hosting Shabbat dinners for cabinet members, attending Orthodox synagogues, and sending their children to Jewish day school. Kushner's crowning achievement was brokering the Abraham Accords.
While officially focusing on family life in Miami, recent reports suggest Kushner may still shape Middle East policy. His multi-billion dollar investment firm's ties to Gulf states have raised ethical questions, with a Senate investigation launched in June.
The Policy Architects
Stephen Miller: Immigration Hardliner's Return
As incoming deputy chief of staff, Miller brings his controversial vision back to the White House. The architect of Trump's first-term family separation policy founded America First Legal after leaving office. He recently declared "America is for Americans and Americans only" and promises an immediate deportation program. His personal life has also evolved since his first White House stint – he married in 2020 and is now father to three children.
David Friedman: Israel Policy Veteran
Despite not returning as ambassador, Friedman's influence continues. The former Trump bankruptcy lawyer turned diplomat was a key player in moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. He recently published a book advocating Israeli control of the West Bank. Though he publicly criticized Trump's 2022 meeting with Kanye West, he later endorsed Trump's "historic achievements" for Israel.
The Financial Power Brokers
Marc Rowan: Wall Street's Voice
Rowan's journey from co-founding Apollo Global Management to managing $733 billion in assets reflects his rising influence. Worth over $6 billion personally, he serves as board chair of New York's UJA-Federation. His grandfather, a NYU economics professor, was known for quoting the Talmud. Rowan recently gained prominence leading a donor revolt against Penn over its response to antisemitism.
Howard Lutnick: The Insider
As Cantor Fitzgerald CEO and co-chair of Trump's transition team, Lutnick bridges the worlds of finance and politics. He actively supports pro-Israel causes, including United Hatzalah and Birthright, and recently visited the Chabad-Lubavitch leader's grave with Trump. Though mentioned as a potential Treasury Secretary, recent reports suggest tension with the president-elect.
The New Guard
Will Scharf: Information Gatekeeper
The 38-year-old Modern Orthodox attorney brings both legal expertise and religious devotion to his role as White House staff secretary. A Phillips Academy Andover graduate and former federal prosecutor, Scharf maintains daily tefillin practice and regular Shabbat observance. He co-founded the controversial "Jews Against Soros" group and will control the flow of documents to Trump's desk.
Steve Witkoff: The Friend Turned Envoy
The 67-year-old real estate veteran's friendship with Trump dates to the 1980s, yet he brings no diplomatic experience to his role as Middle East envoy. Their personal bond strengthened when Trump supported Witkoff after his son's death, demonstrating how personal relationships often trump traditional qualifications in Trump's orbit.
The Public Faces
Elizabeth Pipko: Rising GOP Voice
The former model turned spokesperson embodies a new generation of Jewish Trump supporters. Born to Soviet Jewish immigrants and educated in Orthodox day schools, Pipko married at Mar-a-Lago and founded the "Jexodus" movement to attract Jewish Democrats. She's become increasingly vocal on campus antisemitism issues.
Lee Zeldin: Surprise EPA Pick
The former Long Island congressman's journey to leading the Environmental Protection Agency reflects Trump's loyalty to early supporters. One of just two Jewish Congress members during his tenure, Zeldin emphasized his roots when campaigning in Brooklyn, often mentioning his grandfather's synagogue founding and his mother's teaching career at a Brooklyn yeshiva.
The Power Behind the Scenes
Boris Epshteyn: The Strategic Adviser
Moscow-born Epshteyn, who arrived in America at age 11, has evolved from TV defender to inner circle strategist. Despite facing election tampering charges in Arizona, he's seeking the Ukraine conflict envoy role while navigating conflicts with Elon Musk over transition decisions.
Miriam Adelson: The Megadonor
The Israeli-born powerbroker, worth an estimated $35 billion, wields influence through both financial might and media ownership. Her $100 million donation to Trump's campaign and control of Israel's largest newspaper cement her position, crowned by her 2018 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun: The Religious Confidant
A new figure in Trump's expanding Jewish circle, Miami's Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun has emerged as a key religious connection for the President. The Chabad-affiliated rabbi recently demonstrated his growing influence by organizing and emceeing Trump's high-profile event on combating antisemitism, signaling his rising role as a bridge between Trump and the Jewish community.
From Wall Street billionaires to Orthodox attorneys, from media strategists to real estate moguls, Trump's Jewish inner circle reflects the diverse tapestry of American Jewish life. Yet they share a common thread - each has found their way into the orbit of a president who values personal loyalty above traditional credentials. As Trump prepares to retake the White House, these advisers stand ready to shape policy from the West Wing to the West Bank, their influence extending far beyond their religious identity to the very heart of American power.
The Forward, JPost and the Jewish Chronicle contributed to this article.
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