On Tuesday, Trump announced that tech billionaire Elon Musk would use a specially created agency to cut government spending. Fox News presenter Pete Hegseth will be the new defense minister. Trump also made the governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem, secretary of homeland security – and thus one of the leading figures in his planned deportation operations in the country.
Musk was one of Trump’s most active supporters during the election campaign and donated around 120 million dollars (approx. 113 million euros). He expressed interest in reducing government spending months ago – and Trump responded. Together with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, he is taking over the leadership of a specially created agency that is not part of the government but is supposed to work with the White House.
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Trump: Mike Waltz becomes national security adviser
“Shock waves through the system”
Trump praised both in a written statement as “wonderful” Americans who should help cut bureaucracy, eliminate unnecessary regulations, cut “wasteful spending” and restructure federal agencies. Musk said in the statement that this would send “shock waves through the system.”
The 53-year-old entrepreneur runs, among other things, the electric car manufacturer Tesla and the space company SpaceX. This has the potential for conflicts of interest: Tesla sales also depend on government funding and for SpaceX, government contracts are a billion-dollar business. Investigations by the traffic safety authority NHTSA are also ongoing against Tesla due to accidents involving the “Autopilot” driving assistance system. Musk also always complains that there are too many regulatory requirements for both Tesla and SpaceX. He also runs the brain chip developer Neuralink and the tunnel company Boring Company – and is the owner of the online platform X, formerly Twitter. There he also campaigned for Trump every day.
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The entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, on the other hand, ran unsuccessfully as the Republican presidential candidate in the primary election campaign and made headlines primarily with shrill tones and provocative statements.
The television man Hegseth is to become the new defense minister in times of war. Trump said he spent “his entire life fighting for the troops and for the country.” Hegseth is “tough, smart” and a true supporter of “America First” politics. With him at the helm, “America’s enemies have been warned.” Hegseth is currently moderating the show “Fox & Friends Weekend” on the right-wing conservative broadcaster Fox News. During the election campaign, Trump liked to tune in to the morning show to promote his issues.
Trump has also chosen an eager supporter, Noem, to head the Department of Homeland Security. She was “very committed to border security” and was the first governor to send National Guard soldiers to “help Texas combat the Biden border crisis,” Trump said. Noem will work closely with the “border czar” Tom Homan.
Trump has made mass deportations of illegal migrants a priority of his term in office. The Department of Homeland Security is responsible, among other things, for immigration and border protection.
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Noem had at times been considered Trump’s possible vice presidential candidate in recent months. But according to media reports, the idea was scrapped after an episode from her memoirs made negative headlines. The 52-year-old wrote that she shot her 14-month-old dog, Cricket, herself because she was not trained to be a hunting dog. Noem later argued that her actions showed that she was not afraid to make tough decisions.
The content you’ve provided seems to be a snippet from a webpage or an article discussing political appointments, specifically relating to Mike Waltz and Donald Trump, as well as mentioning Elon Musk and his various business interests. Here’s a brief summary of the information:
1. **Mike Waltz’s Appointment**: Donald Trump has nominated Mike Waltz, a Republican Representative, as his national security adviser. This move is covered within the context of a larger discussion about foreign policy.
2. **Elon Musk’s Commentary**: The article details Trump’s praise for American entrepreneurs, including Musk, who stated that this appointment could send “shock waves through the system.” The context here likely relates to an anticipated shift in governmental structure and regulations.
3. **Musk’s Business Interests**: Elon Musk is highlighted for his leadership roles in various companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, and potential conflicts of interest. These companies depend heavily on government policies and funding, raising questions about regulatory aspects, especially considering ongoing investigations related to Tesla’s Autopilot system.
4. **Vivek Ramaswamy**: The article also mentions Vivek Ramaswamy, a businessman and political figure who ran as a Republican presidential candidate but did not succeed. His campaign was characterized by controversial statements.
5. **Visual Elements**: The markup contains references to images of Trump, Waltz, and possibly Musk, along with their respective implications in political and business contexts.
This summary encapsulates the essential themes but does not delve into every detail or nuance found in the original text. If you have specific questions or need further elaboration on any of the topics mentioned, feel free to ask!