Donald Trump's Second Term: Meet Top Contenders For His Dream Team

Washington: Washington: The Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Wednesday sealed his historic comeback to the White House, defeating his Democratic rival Kamala Harris . Trump will become only the second US president to serve non-consecutive terms, following in the footsteps of Grover Cleveland, who last achieved this rare feat 132 years ago.

Donald Trump’s 2024 victory in both the popular and electoral votes signals a major shift for the Republican Party, which has faced challenges in winning the popular vote in recent decades. Post-victory, experts pointed to his ability to unite the party base while also attracting swing voters in critical states and his focus on issues such as economic recovery, immigration reform, and national security resonated with voters across various demographics, helping him secure the support needed to make history.

Currently, all eyes are now set on Trump's soon-to-be cabinet, which the 78-year-old will be selecting high-ranking administration officials in the coming weeks.

Take a look at the top contenders for some of the key posts overseeing defence, intelligence, diplomacy, trade, immigration and economic policymaking:

JD Vance:

Trump's running mate, JD Vance, is a 40-year-old author of the best-selling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy." He once described Trump as America's "Hitler", and is set to enter the White House as Vice President.

He will become the third-youngest vice president in US history.

Scott Bessent

Scott Bessent, a known economic adviser to Donald Trump, he is widely regarded as a leading contender for the position of Treasury Secretary. A seasoned hedge fund investor with a background in teaching at Yale University, Bessent has a strong rapport with the president-elect.  

Though Bessent has traditionally supported the laissez-faire economic policies favoured by the pre-Trump Republican Party, he has expressed approval of Trump's approach to tariffs as a negotiating tactic. He has also spoken favourably of Trump's economic philosophy, which emphasizes scepticism toward both regulations and international trade.

Elon Musk

Tesla CEO and tech billionaire Elon Musk in 2022 suggested that Donald Trump "hang up his hat and sail into the sunset."

Fast forward to 2024, he played an unprecedented role in Trump's presidential campaign, spending over $110 million of his personal fortune to get the Republican elected.

Musk, 53, is also likely to be a highly influential adviser on space and business policy.

Larry Kudlow

Larry Kudlow, a personality on FOX Business Network and former director of the National Economic Council during much of Trump's first term, is another possible candidate for Treasury Secretary. Kudlow may also be considered for another economics-related role if he chooses to pursue it.  

While Kudlow has privately questioned the effectiveness of broad tariffs, his public economic views closely align with those of the president-elect, with minimal divergence in policy positions.

Robert Kennedy Jr

Robert Kennedy Jr, the nephew of former US president John F Kennedy, initially ran as an independent candidate in the 2024 US presidential polls, but withdrew from the race and endorsed Donald Trump.

The 70-year-old is widely rumoured to be a contender for a cabinet position, with speculation centring on the role of secretary of health and human services.