Boris Epshteyn: Trump's Senior Counsel and Influential Advisor

Boris Epshteyn holds a significant position within Donald Trump's inner circle, serving as his senior personal counsel. He is known for frequent communication with Trump, sometimes participating in Oval Office meetings via speakerphone without other attendees' explicit knowledge. Trump has reportedly joked about Epshteyn being "like my psychiatrist" due to their frequent conversations and Epshteyn's supportive demeanor. This praise, however, has drawn internal criticism, with one adviser describing him as a "hype man and cheering section."

Though Epshteyn typically operates out of the spotlight, he was recently seen publicly with Trump at Game 3 of the NBA Finals. His involvement was also detailed in a controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund settlement, which the administration later scrapped due to bipartisan congressional outcry.

As Trump's top personal attorney, Epshteyn has overseen extensive civil litigation initiated by Trump against various news media and social media companies. This includes securing settlements with ABC ($16 million), CBS ($16 million, plus public service announcements), Meta ($25 million), Google ($22 million), and X ($10 million). Other media entities, including the BBC, CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the Pulitzer Committee, remain targets of ongoing litigation.

Epshteyn was instrumental in assembling the legal team and devising strategies for Trump's four criminal and two civil cases during the 2024 election cycle. His approach, characterized by brinksmanship, involved aggressively fighting on multiple fronts and appealing decisions, leading to a Supreme Court declaration on presidential immunity. Steve Bannon, a MAGA podcaster and former Trump official, credited Epshteyn for his role in these legal outcomes, calling him "the guy who got it done."

Epshteyn's influence extends beyond legal matters. In April, he was named chair of Trump Media, where Donald Trump Jr. serves as a director. Advisers to Trump suggest Epshteyn also holds significant sway within the Justice Department due to his close relationship with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. A White House official stated that Epshteyn is in the Oval Office about once a week and is "constantly" on the phone with Trump. Despite this, some political advisers have been less effusive, with one calling him "the keeper of dog-sh*t ideas" but acknowledging his growing power.

Speculation regarding Epshteyn's personal wealth, including custom-made suits and a Bentley, has circulated within Trump's circles. A friend countered that Epshteyn was successful prior to his current role and has maintained the same lifestyle for a decade. An internal inquiry during the transition investigated whether Epshteyn had leveraged his connections to Trump, which he denied. The inquiry was settled internally, and Trump retained Epshteyn, even after a reported clash with Elon Musk.

Epshteyn, who previously advised John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, joined Trump's operation approximately a decade ago. He gradually assumed a more prominent legal counsel role after Michael Cohen's indictment in 2017. Steven Cheung, White House communications director, cited Epshteyn's pugnacity, longevity, and loyalty. He remained a steadfast supporter after the January 6 Capitol riot, handling legal affairs as Trump plotted his return. He became Trump's top counsel following federal investigations, including the classified documents case, pushing for aggressive legal defense strategies that, despite being considered risky by some advisers, ultimately proved effective in galvanizing Trump's base.

According to Axios, some advisers viewed Epshteyn's aggressive legal strategies for the 2024 election as risky, but they ultimately proved effective in galvanizing Trump's base and securing primary wins.