BY TSC
February 6, 2025

A Professional’s Guide to the Trump 2.0 Power Map

A Professional’s Guide to the Trump 2.0 Power Map

The Trump 2.0 Power Map serves as a strategic intelligence tool for professionals navigating the evolving political landscape in the United States. It provides a structured view of the key figures expected to shape policies, allowing businesses, advocacy groups, and government affairs professionals to anticipate shifts in governance, regulation, and influence. This blog post explores how this map can be leveraged for strategic decision-making and what it reveals about the intersection of personnel choices and policy direction.

Download the high-resolution map here.



How the Trump 2.0 Power Map Works

The Trump 2.0 Power Map ranks individuals based on their overall influence in Trump's second administration. The ranking methodology includes six key factors:

  • Power: The individual’s authority and decision-making capabilities.
  • Legitimacy: Their acceptance and credibility within political and bureaucratic circles.
  • Urgency: The level of immediate importance their role holds in the administration.
  • Proximity: Their closeness to Trump and his decision-making process.
  • Access: Their ability to communicate directly with the president and key figures.
  • Department Significance: The strategic weight of their position in government.

These variables are combined into a normalized scoring method, resulting in an Influence Leaderboard that highlights the key players who are expected to drive policy.

How influence score is calculated


The Importance of Stakeholder and Influence Mapping

Political influence mapping is essential in political and corporate strategy. It provides a structured approach to identifying key decision-makers, understanding their networks, and anticipating policy outcomes. For example, the Trump 2.0 Power Map helps organizations navigate the complexities of the new political landscape in Washington. By mapping influence, professionals can determine who holds power, how they are connected, and what policy directions are likely to emerge. This approach enables businesses, advocacy groups, and analysts to proactively engage with the right individuals, mitigate risks, and align their strategies with upcoming governmental priorities.

People’s Choices Shape Policy Direction

Personnel choices are policy choices - every administration crafts its agenda through the individuals it appoints, and these selections reveal the direction in which governance will move. The principle that “people are policy” is evident in Trump’s selection of individuals who share his ideological commitments and policy priorities.

  • Hardline immigration policies are signaled by figures like Stephen Miller and Tom Homan.
  • Economic nationalism and deregulation are underscored by the presence of Peter Navarro and Russell Vought.
  • Foreign policy shifts are reflected in appointments such as Marco Rubio and Tulsi Gabbard.

Understanding these dynamics is critical for businesses, policymakers, and analysts as they prepare for a potential Trump 2.0 administration.

How Professionals Can Use This Map: Key Use Cases

For professionals in public affairs, corporate strategy, regulatory compliance, and lobbying, the Trump 2.0 Power Map provides a structured way to anticipate government actions. Here’s how professionals can leverage this resource:

For Compliance Officers & Legal Teams: Regulatory Compliance & Policy Forecasting

Why this map is useful: The Trump 2.0 Power Map highlights key figures in regulatory agencies and policy-shaping positions. By understanding their influence, organizations can anticipate regulatory shifts before they become official policy. This helps businesses ensure compliance and adjust operational strategies accordingly.

Next Steps:

  • Monitor speeches, policy statements, and public appearances of high-ranking officials to anticipate shifts in government priorities.
  • Align business strategies with likely regulatory trends (e.g., prepare compliance measures for deregulation or anticipate restrictions in key industries).
  • Establish early dialogues with policymakers and advisors who are shaping legislative frameworks.

Doug Burgum with an influential score of 6.7

For Public Affairs & Lobbyists: Advocacy and Government Relations

Why this map is useful: The map provides insight into who is really holding the reins in Trump2.0's administration. Public Affairs professionals will be able to prioritize and refine their lobbying and outreach efforts to target the right policymakers

Next Steps:

  • Develop a targeted engagement plan for top influencers by assessing their key priorities and policy leanings.
  • Attend policy forums, industry meetings, and closed-door sessions where these influencers speak or participate.
  • Build coalitions with aligned stakeholders who have existing relationships with high-ranking officials.

Snapshot of top 15 in the influence leaderboard

For Corporate Strategists & Risk Managers: Risk Management & Strategic Planning

Why this map is useful:: The power map highlights individuals who will oversee economic, trade, and national security policies. Their stances help businesses and investors assess potential risks, such as tariffs, market instability, or regulatory changes, and prepare contingency plans in advance.

For investors and corporate risk managers, the power map provides a framework to assess political risk. Shifts in foreign policy, economic regulation, and domestic security can impact markets, supply chains, and investment strategies.

Actionable Steps:

  • Conduct scenario planning exercises based on different policy outcomes and regulatory changes.
  • Diversify investments and supply chain dependencies in preparation for possible trade restrictions.
  • Engage with legal and regulatory experts to understand potential compliance requirements before they are enforced.

Conclusion: Turning Intelligence into Action

For professionals working in government relations, corporate strategy, and regulatory affairs, the Trump 2.0 Power Map is a resourceful guide to navigating the new political landscape.

By studying the key influencers and their policy priorities, organizations can:

  • Proactively adapt to regulatory changes before they occur.
  • Engage with the right stakeholders to advocate for their interests.
  • Develop risk mitigation strategies to navigate potential economic and political disruptions.

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