Welcome to Power Players, The i Paper’s opinion series in which our writers and experts take an in-depth look at the key figures in American politics as the US reshapes itself and the world. • JD Vance will inherit Trump’s America in 2028. We still don’t know who he is• The radical philosopher inspiring Vance and Trump’s descent into despotism• The Bronx real-estate hustler who proves Trump is the boss from hell• The most powerful woman in the world you’ve never heard of• The ‘swamp creature’ eclipsing JD Vance in the race to succeed Trump

Welcome to Power Players, The i Paper’s opinion series in which our writers and experts take an in-depth look at the key figures in American politics as the US reshapes itself and the world.

• JD Vance will inherit Trump’s America in 2028. We still don’t know who he is• The radical philosopher inspiring Vance and Trump’s descent into despotism• The Bronx real-estate hustler who proves Trump is the boss from hell• The most powerful woman in the world you’ve never heard of• The ‘swamp creature’ eclipsing JD Vance in the race to succeed Trump

At early February’s National Prayer Breakfast, a chance for Washington to come together, President Donald Trump used his time to call northeastern Kentucky congressman Tom Massie a “moron” for consistently voting against him. The crowd laughed. Massie shook it off. “I’m glad to know,” Massie said the next day, “I’m in the President’s prayers.”

Indeed, Massie, 55, has emerged as perhaps........

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