Intro

The US President Donald Trump has surrounded himself with colourful and controversial characters. 

From Steve Witkoff, who once bought Trump a sandwich and is now taking the lead on peace efforts in Gaza and Ukraine, to Howard Lutnick, the tariff tsar.

How did they secure their key roles and what effect are they having on the policies of the most powerful nation on Earth?

This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from 2025.

Today, Matt Bevan, host of the ABC's If You’re Listening podcast, on the cast of characters in Donald Trump’s orbit.