John McEntee has quietly become one of the most influential figures in conservative politics at just 34. The young conservative is famous for leveraging his experience in the Trump White House to shape the future of right-wing institutions. From his role as director of the Presidential Personnel Office to his current position preparing for a future Republican administration, McEntee’s trajectory illustrates the evolving nature of political influence in modern America.

McEntee’s political journey began in 2015 when, inspired by Donald Trump’s presidential announcement speech, he left his position at Fox News to join the Trump campaign as a volunteer. His dedication quickly earned him the role of campaign travel logistics director, followed by a position as Trump’s personal aide or “body man.” John McEntee’s ambition changed the trajectory of his career and the future of conservative politics. 

The PPO Years: Wielding Personnel Power

The turning point in McEntee’s career came in January 2020. Following a brief departure over security clearance issues, Trump appointed the then-29-year-old as director of the Presidential Personnel Office. In this role, McEntee wielded significant authority over federal personnel decisions, earning the nickname “Deputy President” among colleagues for his influence within the administration.

During his tenure at PPO, McEntee focused on streamlining hiring processes and ensuring ideological alignment throughout the government. He reduced the average hiring time for appointees to six weeks and led efforts to remove officials deemed insufficiently supportive of Trump’s agenda, particularly in areas such as immigration and national security. McEntee also expanded presidential influence into traditionally autonomous agencies, including the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and Federal Communications Commission.

Breaking New Ground on Social Media

Following the 2020 election, McEntee pivoted to new ventures while maintaining his connection to conservative politics. He joined The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, an initiative to prepare for future Republican administrations. In this role, he develops what some call a “right-wing LinkedIn” — a database of pre-vetted conservative candidates for government positions.

But there’s more to John McEntee than his role in Project 2025. Perhaps most notably, McEntee has achieved unexpected success in spaces typically dominated by younger, liberal voices. He co-founded Date Right, a conservative dating app backed by billionaire Peter Thiel, and amassed over 3.4 million followers on TikTok. 

His social media presence is particularly noteworthy given widespread conservative skepticism toward TikTok, with John McEntee arguing that conservatives must engage on such platforms to reach younger audiences. “It’s a mistake for conservatives to be off of TikTok or be staunchly anti-TikTok because that’s where all the eyeballs are,” McEntee said. “You have to speak to people where they are.”

Positioning John McEntee for 2025 and Beyond

Paul Dans, who leads Project 2025, emphasizes John McEntee’s continued importance in conservative circles: “Any conservative candidate, if he or she prevails in 2024 – one of the first people they’re going to turn to is John McEntee to say, ‘How do I stock this government?'”

Looking beyond 2024, sources close to Trump suggest McEntee would likely receive a significant appointment in a potential second Trump administration. His loyalty and experience managing personnel decisions maintained his standing with the former president, who reportedly views him as essential to ensuring ideological consistency in any future administration.

John McEntee’s rise also reflects broader changes in American politics, where influence increasingly requires mastery of both traditional political relationships and new media. His ability to navigate between established conservative institutions and emerging platforms positions him as a bridge between different generations of the conservative movement. This dual approach is rare in Republican politics, where figures typically excel either in traditional power corridors or new media spaces, but rarely both. 

McEntee’s success in cultivating both a serious policy role through the Heritage Foundation while simultaneously building a following of millions who know him primarily as a social media personality demonstrates an unusual versatility. His influence spans from senior conservative policymakers to young voters who may have never heard of his White House role, giving him a unique capacity to shape right-wing messaging across demographics. “The lessons we learned in the first administration will only make us stronger,” McEntee says, reflecting on his experiences and future prospects in Republican politics.

McEntee’s influence serves as a reminder that political power often extends beyond elected officials, residing instead with those who can effectively combine loyalty, strategic positioning, and adaptability to changing circumstances. His trajectory from campaign volunteer to conservative power broker illustrates the complex interplay of relationships and ideology that drives modern American politics.