Political scientists say the passenger list repays close reading. "It can say what his priorities are," said David Cohen, a professor of political science at the University of Akron. "Who he surrounds himself with are the people he is going to be listening to. They're the ones who are going to be whispering in his ear and talking softly in private quarters to the president of the United States."
Chief of staff Susie Wiles, who recently finished treatment for breast cancer and co-managed Trump's 2024 campaign, is a frequent flyer. Trump has called her the "most powerful woman in the world." As Air Force One left Greenville, North Carolina, after Trump's 15th rally in 20 days, she told reporters: "Great. They've all been great, honestly."
Also on the manifest: special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is trying to negotiate an end to the Iran war that has weighed on Republican fortunes; deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller; Housing Secretary Scott Turner; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent; and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a billionaire who once ran Cantor Fitzgerald and has been a Trump friend since the 1990s, has been the most frequent Cabinet traveler, using rallies to highlight new factory investments.
Other regulars punch above their titles. Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has joined at least five legs and has pressured Federal Reserve officials including Jerome Powell and Lisa Cook. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr flew a West Coast swing on Oct. 13 and 14. Personal aides Natalie Harp and Walt Nauta, speechwriting director Ross Worthington, communications adviser Margo Martin and communications director Steven Cheung have all been aboard, along with political strategists Matt Brasseaux, Johnny DeStefano and James Blair.
Trump has also brought a celebrity rotation, among them Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Evander Holyfield, Nicki Minaj, Richard Petty, Jon Gruden, Todd Gurley and Jake Paul. The boxing champions did not fly together; Tyson bit off a piece of Holyfield's right ear in a 1997 bout. "You want to have people around you that make you feel comfortable," said Towson University professor Martha Kumar. "When you think about it, it is really stressful. You want some relief." The White House's goal is to have Trump wrap up his midterm blitz with a celebrity alongside him at each stop.
Lawmakers are part of the rotation too, including Rep. William Timmons of South Carolina, several Texas House members, and senators John Barrasso of Wyoming, the second-ranking Republican, and Ted Cruz, who is considering a 2028 presidential bid. Trump's stump speech promises $5,000 checks if Republicans keep their House and Senate majorities after the Nov. 3 election.