2024-11-20 08:45:00
A Wall Street financier, a TV doctor and a former wrestling entrepreneur as Minister of Education: Donald Trump is also surprising with his next candidates for positions in the future US government. At the same time, the President-elect is sticking to the controversial nomination of the radical Republican Matt Gaetz as Attorney General despite growing headwinds.
From Wall Street to import tariffs
The next US Secretary of Commerce will be Howard Lutnick, one of Trump’s most important supporters on Wall Street. He runs the New York financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald and is currently co-head of the team preparing Trump’s inauguration in the White House on January 20th.
As minister, Lutnick would be responsible, among other things, for implementing Trump’s plans for new import tariffs. During the election campaign, the president-elect threatened high tariffs on goods from abroad, claiming that this would force companies to produce in the United States. Economists warn, however, that such measures – such as those imposed by Trump during his first term in office – are likely to lead primarily to price increases for US consumers.
According to media reports, Lutnick tried in vain to become US Treasury Secretary. He and Scott Bessent, also a financial manager, have been vying for the post with Trump in recent days. Lutnick brought on his side, among others, the tech billionaire Elon Musk, who supported Trump in the election campaign and has spent a lot of time with him since the election. Instead of his desired position, Lutnick should now take over the management of the trading department.
Ex-wrestling entrepreneur in the Ministry of Education
According to media reports, Linda McMahon, who was head of an authority responsible for small businesses in Trump’s first administration, would actually have wanted this position. Now, as Secretary of Education, the 76-year-old is supposed to make America “number one in education in the world,” as the future president wrote. Trump caused a stir during the election campaign by announcing that he wanted to abolish the Department of Education.
The majority of McMahon’s professional career has taken place away from education. Together with her husband Vince McMahon, she made the wrestling league WWE big. She was also the head of the WWE for a time, but then went into politics in 2009 and, among other things, tried unsuccessfully to be elected to the US Senate. Trump has supported her for years. McMahon is currently leading the power transition team alongside Lutnick.
TV doctor gets important health post
The controversial TV doctor Mehmet Oz is to become head of the Medicare and Medicaid health systems in Trump’s new government, i.e. responsible for the care of tens of millions of Americans. Medicare and Medicaid are something like government health insurance companies. Medicare is for people over the age of 65. Medicaid covers at least some of the costs of treatments and medications for low-income earners.
Oz has previously advocated for more private healthcare services. The 64-year-old made a name for himself as a heart surgeon and professor at Columbia University, but was criticized as host of the “Dr. Oz Show” for, among other things, spreading controversial views on alternative medicine and paranormal abilities. During the corona pandemic, he recommended untested treatment methods on television, such as the use of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine – and got through to then-President Trump.
In 2022, Oz should win a Senate seat in the state of Pennsylvania for the Republicans. He was also supported by Trump in the election campaign, but clearly lost.
Oz is already the third television personality in Trump’s dream cabinet. With Pete Hegseth as a candidate for defense minister and Sean Duffy, who is to become transport minister, two presenters from the Trump-friendly conservative news channel Fox have already been nominated.
Trump is sticking with Gaetz as his preferred attorney general
Probably the most heated personnel debate continues to be about Matt Gaetz. In the US Senate, where applicants for government positions usually have to be confirmed, there are considerable doubts even among Republicans about his suitability for the office of attorney general.
The long-time congressman from Florida is accused of, among other things, sex with a minor and drug use, both of which he denies. The US Department of Justice ended an investigation against the 42-year-old without charging him. The House of Representatives Ethics Committee further investigated the allegations and prepared a report on them. It is unclear whether this report will be made public as Gaetz immediately resigned his seat in Parliament after the nomination – which led to the closure of the proceedings.
Due to the circumstances surrounding his nomination, some Republicans also consider it highly questionable whether Gaetz can get through the Senate. Trump’s party holds a narrow majority of 53 of the 100 seats in the Chamber of Congress. A few dissenters in one’s own ranks could be enough to torpedo staffing.
Trump was asked on Tuesday on the sidelines of a rocket launch by Musk’s space company SpaceX whether he might reconsider Gaetz’s nomination – and responded with a curt “no.” Musk also supported Trump’s preferred candidate and wrote on his online platform X that Gaetz would be “our judicial hammer.”
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How might controversies surrounding figures like Linda McMahon and Dr. Mehmet Oz influence public perception of Trump’s administration?
**Interview with Political Analyst Laura Mitchell on Trump’s New Cabinet Picks**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Laura. Given the recent announcements about Donald Trump’s potential cabinet, what are your initial thoughts on his selections for key positions?
**Laura Mitchell:** Thank you for having me. Trump’s cabinet picks have always sparked controversy and intrigue, and this time is no different. Appointing Howard Lutnick, a Wall Street financier, as Secretary of Commerce highlights his continued reliance on big business, especially around implementing his proposed import tariffs. There’s a lot of skepticism among economists about how effective these tariffs will be without harming consumers.
**Interviewer:** Yes, it seems like Lutnick’s background is heavily centered in finance. Do you think he has the experience required to take on such a pivotal role?
**Laura Mitchell:** Lutnick does have significant connections and influence in the financial sector, being the head of Cantor Fitzgerald. However, the transition from finance to commerce can be tricky—especially since the Secretary of Commerce must balance the interests of both businesses and consumers. His prior attempts to become Treasury Secretary indicate a strong ambition, but whether he truly understands the complexities of domestic trade will be critical.
**Interviewer:** Moving on to the education sector, Linda McMahon’s appointment has received mixed reactions, especially as she’s primarily known for her wrestling background rather than education. What do you make of this?
**Laura Mitchell:** That’s an interesting choice. McMahon has had a varied career, and while she does bring some political experience, her historical ties to the wrestling business certainly raise eyebrows regarding her qualifications. Trump’s promise to make America “number one in education” could be seen as contradictory given his previous suggestion to abolish the Department of Education. McMahon’s track record in public service will certainly be scrutinized by educators and parents alike.
**Interviewer:** And what about Dr. Mehmet Oz taking the lead on Medicare and Medicaid? He’s a well-known figure but has faced criticism over his medical opinions.
**Laura Mitchell:** Yes, Oz’s appointment is particularly controversial. His past comments and recommendations during the pandemic have led many to question his credibility as a leader in healthcare. Those systems—Medicare and Medicaid—are crucial for millions of Americans, and appointing someone with a contentious background could destabilize public trust in these programs. It remains to be seen if he can bridge the gap between his past media persona and the serious responsibilities of this role.
**Interviewer:** Matt Gaetz as Attorney General is drawing a lot of attention. Given his controversial reputation, how do you think this will affect Trump’s government moving forward?
**Laura Mitchell:** Gaetz’s nomination is certainly polarizing. His radical approaches and past legal troubles have raised significant concerns. His appointment could lead to increased division within the party and the public. If Trump is committed to Gaetz, he must be prepared for potential backlash both from within the Republican Party and from the general public, particularly regarding law enforcement and justice, which are critical areas in any administration.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Laura, for sharing your insights. It seems like the next administration will be anything but predictable.
**Laura Mitchell:** Absolutely, and that’s what makes it so fascinating to watch. Thank you for having me!
