4 – Thomas Barrack
Tom Barrack, the grandson of Lebanese Christian immigrants, rose from humble beginnings to build a $60 billion fortune through his Colony Capital fund, much of it from Arab investors. Along his journey, he helped rescue Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch and co-purchased Miramax studios with Rob Lowe.
Barrack and Trump became friends in the 1980s during the Plaza Hotel deal. Their bond deepened over the decades, with Barrack even overseeing Trump’s inauguration. Known for his loyalty, Barrack introduced Trump on the final night of the GOP convention, describing him as having the “discipline of an animal in the jungle,” a bold statement only a true friend would make.