From Cabinet secretaries to Oval Office advisors and Mar-a-Lago confidants, capturing the attention and approval of the world’s most powerful man is a daily battle.
Donald Trump has surrounded himself with steadfastly loyal family members and obedient allies during his meteoric rise to the White House.
The question is: Who is the most significant powerbroker behind the world’s most famous man?
Is it Vice President J.D. Vance or the ‘ice maiden’ chief of staff Susie Wiles? Or could it be the not-so-secret weapon of Trump’s historic 2024 campaign, his youngest son Barron?
Today, Daily Mail+ can reveal the answer based on America’s perception of what goes on in the MAGA corridors of power.
The Trump World Power List provides definitive rankings of the most influential figures in the 47th President’s orbit.
Our survey tested 20 members of Trump’s inner circle – from senior aides to his children – on how voters perceive their trustworthiness, likeability and knowledge – all traits prized by the leader of the free world.
These are the figures who help shape policy, craft messaging and guide the president through his most punishing political challenges.
They are also the characters closest to him, whether in the White House or his private clubs in Palm Beach and Bedminster, New Jersey.
This Trump World Power List serves as an essential guide to who Americans believe holds the most sway as the president navigates the rollercoaster that is his second term.
Donald Trump has surrounded himself with steadfastly loyal family members and obedient allies. The question is: Who is the most influential? The DailyMail+ Power List has the answer
While Donald Trump may be the king of MAGA, our results show there’s no doubt Melania Trump is the queen.
Melania was crowned the undisputed favorite of Donald Trump’s inner circle when Americans were asked who is the most popular member.
In our Trump World Power List, the First Lady comfortably claimed the top spot, with her 19‑year‑old son Barron in second.
White House ‘border czar’ Tom Homan – the man behind one of the most comprehensive immigration crackdowns in history – came in third.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who has accused President Barack Obama and his allies of manufacturing the Russian collusion hoax against Trump, came in fourth.
Trump’s star press secretary Karoline Leavitt came in fifth and Ivanka Trump – who’s kept her distance from politics so far in the second administration – ranked sixth.
The results, based on a survey of 1,000 voters conducted with J.L. Partners, suggest Melania’s tactful demeanor and avoidance of daily political drama has only boosted her power.
At 55, the former model earned the highest approval ratings in key categories, including trustworthiness and knowledge, and was the Trump World figure voters said they’d most like to spend time with, along with Ivanka.
She has chosen her public appearances sparingly, but behind the scenes has reportedly long been one of her husband’s closest counselors.
When responding to international scandals – including the renewal of military aid to Ukraine and the push to increase food-aid for Gazans – Trump acknowledged Melania was part of his decision-making process.
A spokesman for the First Lady celebrated the result in an exclusive statement to the Daily Mail, highlighting her pivotal role in her husband’s second term.
‘The First Lady’s impact on her husband’s decision-making process is unparalleled,’ the spokesman said.
‘She possesses an unmatched level of influence compared to any adviser or cabinet member.
‘Mrs. Trump can discreetly influence policy in a manner that is rarely observed by the public due to her singular position.’
A source close to Trump added that it makes perfect sense Melania dominated the rankings.
‘She’s the president’s closest confidante,’ the source said.
Another popular Trump family member is Barron Trump, who – our poll shows – has become a breakout star in his own right, despite avoiding the limelight.
The 6-foot-7-inch tall New York University freshman finished second overall and was voted one of the most fun and truthful figures in Trump World.
The 19-year-old outshined his older siblings and even top aides, ranking as the third most knowledgeable behind Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his mother, Melania.
Barron’s rare public appearances – towering beside his parents at Mar‑a‑Lago and on the 2024 campaign trail – have fueled curiosity and helped him resonate with younger conservatives.
While Barron focuses on business studies in Manhattan and keeps a tight circle of friends – with rumors of love interests purely gossip and speculation – his quiet influence is undeniable.
Sources say his close bond with his mother and private life in Trump Tower have shielded him from the turbulence that often follows the rest of his family.
‘Barron’s polished, youthful presence, combined with his role in helping his father connect with Gen Z and young male voters, makes him an instant favorite,’ said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean.
As for the president’s other children, First Daughter Ivanka Trump was one of her father’s key advisors during his first term.
Now she has stepped back from politics, choosing to focus on philanthropy and life Florida with husband Jared Kushner and their three children.
Her softer public image and focus on philanthropy appears to have kept her in Americans’ good graces.
‘Ivanka hasn’t talked politics in five years,’ one GOP insider told the Daily Mail. ‘That makes her far less polarizing – even Democrats have a hard time disliking her now.’
This may explain why Donald Trump Jr., one of the president’s most plain-spoken children, ranked towards the bottom of our list.
Melania Trump was crowned the undisputed favorite of Donald Trump’s inner circle when Americans were asked who is the most popular member
In our Trump World Power List, the First Lady comfortably claimed the top spot, with her 19‑year‑old son Barron in second
The 47-year-old was voted the least likeable, least truthful and most biased member of the Trump World.
On the question of whether he is fun, only Marco Rubio ranked lower.
Since November 2024, Don Jr. has been chasing lucrative deals for the Trump Organization, securing contracts for golf resorts and hotels in the Middle East.
He has joined the boards of multiple companies including a drone manufacturer and the prediction market Kalshi. Yet he has remained a staunch supporter of his father’s policies and is quick to go on the offensive against critics.
Sources familiar with Trump’s inner circle told the Daily Mail they were not surprised by the first son’s low ranking among voters:
‘The more outspoken you are, the more you create fans, but also more enemies,’ one source said.
Don Jr.’s former fiancé and nominee for United States Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, also fared poorly.
Barron Trump has become the movement’s breakout star – despite staying away from the limelight his family attracts. The 19-year-old came second in the DailyMail+ Power List
First Daughter Ivanka Trump, pictured at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding, still ranked highly in our list despite stepping away from politics
Americans voted the 56-year-old as the MAGA figure they would least like to spend time with, alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
She also finished last in knowledge, behind billionaire Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Vice President J.D. Vance also had little to celebrate. He ranked as the second least likeable and the fourth least truthful, just above Pam Bondi, Kristi Noem and Don Jr.
Recent poll results, however, have been in his favor, giving him confidence if he decides to chas the Oval Office himself.
Multiple surveys – including one conducted by the Daily Mail – have him as the favorite for the Republican nomination in 2028.
A White House insider told the Daily Mail that Vance needs to learn from DailyMail+ Power List results, especially if he sets his sights on the White House.
‘The Vice President has been a strong advocate and champion for the Trump-Vance agenda across the administration, Capitol Hill and the broader MAGA movement,’ the insider said.
‘But following the midterms, he’ll need to define what sets him apart from the rest of the field.’
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth struggled in the face of scrutiny over controversies in the Pentagon.
Months after questions about his leadership erupted when details of a Yemen airstrike were shared on the messaging app Signal, Hegseth was voted the fourth least likable and sixth least knowledgeable.
Donald Trump Jr., one of the president’s most plain-spoken children, ranked towards the bottom of our list. He’s pictured with his girlfriend Bettina Anderson
Karoline Leavitt’s no-nonsense attitude toward dealing with reporters appears to have won over the public.
Americans picked Leavitt as fourth most likeable and fun. When it came to who those polled wanted to hang out with, she came in third.
Her success seemed to be an outlier for the rest of the results that offer a blunt reality check for Trump’s inner circle: the quieter, more enigmatic family members now outshine the loudest loyalists.
Last week we launched the DailyMail+ Power List by revealing the best-loved (and most loathed) morning-show hosts and news media stars.
This week, we ranked the sports analysts who divide the opinion of millions of fans across the country.
In the weeks ahead, we’ll bring you our power list rankings for more figures in the world of media, US politics, fashion and sport.
