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Trump's Coming Administration: A Mix of Celebrities, Business People, and Controversial Figures
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The new cabinet lineup shows Trump's preference for personal loyalty and ideological alignment over traditional experience in top government positions
President-elect Donald Trump has created an unprecedented government composition, including a former media personality to lead the Pentagon, an anti-vaccine advocate to manage health, and billionaire Elon Musk to rationalize spending.
The "X" platform, Tesla, and SpaceX owner Elon Musk was called to review and reduce public expenditure, in cooperation with businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.
The world's richest man, a major financial supporter of the Republican campaign, is known for his "strict" management style and boldness in implementing rapid and widespread layoffs, according to AFP.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nephew of late President John Kennedy, was recruited to lead the Department of Health. A former environmental lawyer who embraced COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories, he will take on the mission of "restoring health to America," supported by "Dr. Oz," the surgeon and TV star who will manage the massive public health insurance program.
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi was appointed to head the sensitive Justice Department after Matt Gaetz's withdrawal. She is close to Trump and was a member of his defense team in the 2020 impeachment trial. She will be supported by three of his personal lawyers: Todd Blanche, Emil Bove, and John Sauer, aiming to end what Trump, convicted in May, considers "exploitation" of justice.
Prominent Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio will take the State Department portfolio, becoming the first American of Latin descent to hold this position. He is known for his hardline positions toward China, strong support for Israel, and opposition to Iran.
Another elected official from Florida, Mike Waltz, also hardline toward China and Russia, will serve as National Security Advisor.
Trump chose two of Israel's strongest supporters: Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Tel Aviv and Elise Stefanik as UN ambassador, while Matthew Whitaker was appointed NATO ambassador, tasked with implementing the "America First" principle.
Trump made a surprising move by appointing Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, a former National Guard officer who opposes women's participation in combat forces and has never managed a large institution. He will manage 3.4 million soldiers and civilian employees with an annual budget exceeding $850 billion.
Tulsi Gabbard was appointed to head National Intelligence, a Democratic Party defector and former military officer known for her pro-Moscow positions. After the Ukraine war broke out, she called in a video recording for Russian, Ukrainian, and American leaders to end the conflict.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem will play a pivotal role in implementing Trump's electoral promise of mass deportation of irregular immigrants, as she was chosen to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
Other appointments included Doug Burgum, close to the oil and gas industry, in a dual position for Federal Lands and the National Energy Council, climate skeptic Chris Wright as Energy Secretary, and former Representative Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.
Scott Bessent, founder of K2 Square Group investment company and advocate for political control over the Federal Reserve, was nominated for Treasury Secretary, while Linda McMahon, co-founder of WWE, was nominated for the Education portfolio.
Levant-Agencies
