<p>The US President Donald Trump has surrounded himself with colourful and controversial characters. </p><p>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.</p><p>How did they secure their key roles and what effect are they having on the policies of the most powerful nation on Earth?</p><p>This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from 2025.</p><p>Today, Matt Bevan, host of the ABC's If You’re Listening podcast, on the cast of characters in Donald Trump’s orbit.</p>