US election 2024: Donald Trump’s predicted struggle cupboard key gamers and why we must always fear

Donald Trump is tipped to appoint an obsessive anti-vaxxer to head US health policies – along with an array of golfing buddies and loyalists in his first Cabinet.

Divisive tech tycoon Elon Musk has been linked with a role stripping back public spending. And his next national security advisor could be a man who suggested scaling back support to Ukraine.

The Republican looks almost certain to become President for a second time after a heartbreaking night for the Democrats. His first administration was hampered by chaos and division, which saw his top team chopped and changed on a regular basis.

Trump is unlikely to take any risks this time around – making sure those around him are loyal to him. He hasn’t named those who will make up his Cabinet, but there is strong speculation that Robert F Kennedy could become health and human services secretary.

There are also whispers that Steve Bannon, who has recently completed a jail term for contempt of Congress, could be given a role. Here we look at some of the figures who could shape US policy in the coming years.

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Elon Musk

One of the world’s most divisive figures, Twitter/X and Tesla mogul Elon Musk could be in line for a key role in the Trump administration.

The Republican has hinted that Musk could be his “secretary of cost-cutting” – giving him powers to help strip down spending on public agencies. This of course raises the alarming possibility that he could target agencies responsible for regulating his businesses.

Musk, who has spent recent months spreading far-right conspiracies on social media, is unlikely to hold back if he has a seat at the Government table. In recent months he’s launched a scathing attack on Keir Starmer and the UK, suggesting troubled times for the Special Relationship.

Robert F Kennedy Jr

The latest twist in the Kennedy political story could see Robert F Kennedy Jr get a key role in the Trump admission.

The nephew of ex-President John F Kennedy and son of Robert F Kenney – who were both assassinated – has carved out a following of his own among angry conspiracy theorists.

He was one of the loudest voices sharing Covid vaccine misinformation during the pandemic. The 70-year-old stood as an independent Presidential candidate, but later dropped out and endorsed Trump.

There is heavy speculation that he will have a chance to influence vaccination policy, which could have a devastating impact on the rest of the world. He is tipped to be health and human services secretary.

Marco Rubio

An opponent of same-sex marriage who is against abortion, Marco Rubio is tipped as a possible Secretary of State.

This would put him at the front of US foreign policy. He has taken a hard line on Russian President Vladimir Putin, who he has described as a “gangster”. And he is a firm supporter of NATO, even going as far as introducing legislation to prevent Trump pulling out of the bloc in 2019.

He had been in the running for Trump’s running mate before the Republican opted instead for JD Vance.

Doug Burgum

The Governor of North Dakota is another figure being linked with the Secretary of State role. He has been the Trump campaign’s main advisor on energy policy, having missed out on the Vice Presidential nomination.

He has been cricial of President Biden’s handling of foreign aid to Ukraine, but has said he supports continuing support for Volodymr Zelensky. He would take a hawkish position on China, which he branded America’s “number one threat”.

Other names linked with the Secretary of State post include ultra-loyalist Richard Grenell who has been ambassador to Germany. Mike Pompeo – who held the position for most of Trump’s first term – is also among the names in the mix.

John Ratcliffe

A golfing pal of Trump’s, John Ratcliffe may be given control of the CIA or as director of national intelligence. His loyalty to the Republican isn’t in question, having served on the team defending him against impeachment in 2020.

He is well known for criticizing the FBI for being biased against Trump. It has been suggested that his appointment as director of national intelligence in 2019 was due to his “blind loyalty” to the then-President.

It comes against the backdrop of concerns Trump could launch a clampdown on his enemies. If selected Ratcliffe would appear to be a willing soldier in that war.

Elbridge Colby

A worrying name linked with the role of national security adviser is Elbridge Colby.

He has previously called for the US to scale back support for Ukraine. In December he tweeted: “The invasion of Ukraine is an evil act by the Russians and I morally support the Ukrainian defense. But the United States needs to face the fact that we can’t do everything in the world.”

Colby instead argues that the US should be focusing on the threat from China.

Ken Paxton

Another ultra-loyalist who could get a key role – in this case as attorney-general – is Ken Paxton.

The Texas attorney-general waged a legal challenge against Trump’s 2020 election loss in four states. He was also among the speakers at a pro-Trump rally before the deadly Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.

His appointment would raise questions about whether the law is applied. When Trump was asked if he would consider Paxton to the role, he said: “He’s very, very talented. I mean, we have a lot of people that want that one and will be very good at it. But he’s a very talented guy.”

Sid Miller

One speculated appointment could be Sid Miller as secretary of agriculture. Miller is a former rodeo cowboy and MAGA loyalist.

Interestingly the Texas agriculture commissioner was fined in 2018 for misusing state funds to travel to a Mississippi rodeo. Miller is renowned for being a climate change sceptic, having said his state “should never build another wind turbine”.

If given the role he is likely to scale back measures to tackle climate change in agriculture.