inner circle

plural inner circles

1. idiomaticThe group comprising one's closest friends or associates.
2. idiomaticbusinessA small, exclusive group of people close to the center of power who control a movement, organization, political party, etc.

   Sassoon used the close relationship of Yedidia and Bankman-Fried to explore the FTX inner circle’s luxe lifestyle and allege how it hid a house of cards.

   2023 October 5, Victoria Bekiempis, “FTX co-founder testifies he committed crimes with Sam Bankman-Fried”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

   2 more examples

   It was upon his return to London that Bok learned, through the confidence of a member of the British “inner circle,” the amazing news that the war was practically over: that Bulgaria had capitulated and was suing for peace; […]

   1921, Edward W. Bok, The Americanization of Edward Bok

   The idea of an alleged Epstein "list" was turbocharged by Trump's own inner circle, most notably by Bondi herself. In a February interview with Fox News, she claimed, "The list of Jeffrey Epstein's clients is sitting on my desk." Her remark, quickly amplified by right-wing influencers, fueled weeks of speculation online and in MAGA circles.

   2025 July 10, Jesus Mesa, “'We've Been Played': MAGA Faces Its Own Disappointment With Trump”, in Newsweek

3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see inner, circle.