President-elect Donald Trump’s second administration is shaping up to be the wealthiest in U.S. history. With billionaire appointees like Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy at the helm of his newly created “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), Trump’s inner circle is raising eyebrows—and sparking heated debates.
Alina Habba, Trump’s lawyer and staunch defender, voiced her enthusiasm for the appointments during a Fox News interview on Friday. She praised the billionaires’ ability to “clean up” inefficiencies in government, likening their approach to Trump’s own business-style leadership.
“We have billionaires who’ve built empires now helping clean up a bad economy and government inefficiency,” Habba said. “They’re running the country like they’ve run their businesses.”
Billionaires Driving Trump’s Vision
The upcoming administration, estimated to have a combined wealth of $340 billion, will include at least 11 appointees tied to billionaire fortunes. Musk and Ramaswamy, key figures in DOGE, are tasked with streamlining government operations by slashing unnecessary regulations and expenditures.
DOGE, announced by Trump in November, is positioned as a non-traditional advisory body designed to work alongside the White House and the Office of Management and Budget. In a statement, Trump described the department as a tool to “dismantle government bureaucracy.”
Linda McMahon, former World Wrestling Entertainment executive and nominee for education secretary, is another notable appointee. Her husband, Vince McMahon, has an estimated net worth of $3 billion. Other wealthy nominees include Howard Lutnick, chairman of Cantor Fitzgerald, slated for commerce secretary, and Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager tapped for treasury secretary.
Critics, however, argue that the billionaire-heavy Cabinet risks further isolating working-class Americans. Some worry that it prioritizes wealth over relatable leadership, creating what skeptics call a “billionaire boys’ club.”
Netizens React to Trump’s Wealthy Administration
The billionaire-packed Cabinet has ignited a fiery online debate. While supporters cheer the appointments as a step toward efficiency, critics remain skeptical of their intentions.
- @PatriotProud: “Trump knows what he’s doing—putting successful people in charge! Billionaires can fix what politicians broke.”
- @BlueWave2024: “Great, just what we need… a billionaire Cabinet cutting programs for everyday Americans.”
- @MuskFanForever: “Elon Musk is exactly what the government needs. No nonsense, no red tape. Genius move!”
- @RealTalkJane: “This is the most out-of-touch Cabinet in history. Billionaires don’t understand the struggles of working families.”
- @SaveAmericaNow: “Trump’s turning D.C. into a corporation. About time we had real leaders.”
- @EqualityMatters: “How does this represent America? It’s just a playground for the rich.”