In 10 weeks Donald Trump will be sworn in as president. For a political novice like Trump, a strong cabinet is essential to govern efficiently. Here are some people that could play key roles in his administration.
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo/M. Conroy
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Unlike traditional presidential campaigns, the Trump camp started late with setting up a transition team and once it did it wasn't a fully fleshed out apparatus like that of his rival Hillary Clinton.
That definitely changed after their candidate scored a stunning victory. Team Trump is now in full transition mode, as evidenced by Friday's announcement that Vice President-elect Mike Pence would now take the helm of the transition effort, replacing Chris Christie, the embattled governor of New Jersey.
The Trump team also launched an official transition website aptly named www.greatagain.gov, after Trump's campaign slogan, along with a new Twitter handle dedicated to the transition effort.
While transition preparations are gaining steam, little concrete is known so far about a key element of the new Trump administration - the people taking over the most important positions.
Rocky relationship
Trump's rocky relationship with large parts of the Republican party establishment has only complicated efforts to fill vital cabinet slots, as many Republicans with governmental experience had openly opposed the GOP candidate and rejected any possible role in a Trump administration already during the campaign.
For much of the campaign, Christie was expected to take on a senior role in a potential Trump administrationImage: Reuters/C. Bergin
One thing that does appear certain is that two of Trump's closest allies, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, in some way or another will play important roles in the new administration.
Chris Christie, himself a former presidential candidate until recently, was also expected to land a position in a Trump administration. But possible legal ramifications of the so called "Bridgegate" scandal could make Christie a liability, therefore his chances to play a key role have significantly decreased.
So here are five key positions for a Trump administration and people mentioned in the media to be considered for them.
Secretary of State
John Bolton, former US ambassador to the United Nations
Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the House of Representatives
Bob Corker, senator from Tennessee and chairman of the Senate's Committee on Foreign Relations
Secretary of Defense
Sessions was the first sitting senator to endorse TrumpImage: Getty Images/S.Olson
Jeff Sessions, senator from Alabama and senior member of the Senate's Armed Services Committee
Duncan Hunter, congressman from California and member of the Committee on Armed Services
Stephen Hadley, former national security adviser to President George W. Bush
General Mike Flynn, a Democrat, former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency
Secretary of the Treasury
Steve Mnuchin, finance chair of the Trump campaign and former Goldman Sachs executive
Carl Icahn, investor
Jeb Hensarling, congressman from Texas and chairman of the House Financial Services Committee
Attorney General
Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City
Jeff Sessions, senator from Alabama
Chief of Staff
Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee
Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the House of Representatives
Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City
Trump: Mogul, populist, president
Already a real estate magnate, best-selling author and reality TV star, Donald Trump is about to become the 45th US president. Often regarded as an outlandish, comic figure, Trump will soon move into the White House.
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The family, the empire
Surrounded by the ones he loves, Donald Trump with his wife, Melania, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany, his sons Eric and Donald, Jr., and grandchildren Kai and Donald John III. His three eldest children are senior vice presidents in the Trump organization.
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From millionaire to billionaire
This picture from 1984 shows Trump opening Harrah's at Trump Plaza, a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It's one of the investments that helped turn Trump, already a millionaire thanks to cash from his father, into a billionaire.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Images/M. Lederhandler
Off to a good start
Trump inherited the money he used to launch his real estate empire from his father, Frederick. He gave his son a million dollars to start and then, upon his death, left Donald and his three siblings $400 million.
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What's in a name? Billions.
Donald Trump aggressively invested the money and experienced the market's highs and lows. Long-term success came thanks to Trump Tower in New York City. Trump has said he's worth some $10 billion, but he has not released financial information to prove the claim. Experts estimate he's worth about a third of that.
Image: Getty Images/D. Angerer
"Very good, very smart"
That's what Trump had to say about himself. He studied at the renowned Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a bachelor's degree.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/B.J. Harpaz
Captain Trump
Before college, Trump was sent to a military academy at the age of 13 to learn discipline. By the time he graduated, he had earned an officer's rank at the academy. During his campaign for president, he said he enjoyed the school's structure and military culture.
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Heel spurs instead of Vietnam
Despite the military education, Trump did not serve in the Vietnam War. He received four deferments while studying and a fifth for bone spurs in his heels. Trump will be the first US president to enter the White House without having previously served in a public office or the military.
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Wife number one: Ivana
In 1977, Trump married Ivana Zelnuickova of what was then Czechoslovakia. The pair had three children together, Donald John, Jr., Ivanka Marie and Eric Fredrick. The marriage, however, was plagued with rumors of extra-marital affairs and ended in 1990. Ivana was the one who created Trump's nickname "The Donald."
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Family number two
Trump later married his second wife, Marla Maples. Maples gave birth to their daughter Tiffany in 1993.
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo/J. Minchillo
Girls, girls, girls
Trump seemed to enjoy being photographed with women other than his wife by his side. He often visited beauty pageants and posed with young models. From 1996 to 2015, he owned part of all the Miss Universe pageants. Trump would later come under fire for an audio recording of him saying his fame allowed him to grope women without fearing consequences.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/K. Lemm
The Art of the Deal
How do you make a quick million? Trump's best-seller "The Art of the Deal," which was part autobiography, part instruction manual for ambitious businessmen, tried to show readers the way. Already well-known, the book solidified Trump's spot in the public spotlight.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Schwalm
Mixing business and entertainment
Like no other, Trump knew how to grab the public's attention, as seen here in a show for "World Wrestling Entertainment." His unique blend of business and entertainment acumen met in the reality TV show "The Apprentice" where candidates were hired and fired. Trump's favorite line from the show: "You're fired!"
Image: Getty Images/B. Pugliano
Trump's move into politics
Though he had previously had very little contact with governing or politics, Trump announced his presidential candidacy on July 16, 2015. He used "Make America Great Again" as a political slogan and during his election campaign insulted immigrants, Muslims, women and everyone running against him.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Lane
Off to Washington
Whether the showman morphs into a statesman will be seen over Trump's four years in the White House. Views are split as he prepares to take office. But if his life so far is anything to go by, there is no telling what will be next.
