Lhe image made the rounds on the networks: a photomontage of Elon Musk, all smiles, entering the Oval Office, anticipating the major role that would be assigned to him in the future Trump 2.0 administration. The “Maga” star (acronym of the Trumpist slogan “Make America great again”, “make America great again”, Editor’s note) of Silicon Valley, founder of Tesla, SpaceX and sulphurous owner of X (ex-Twitter) , makes no secret of his political ambitions and plays on his unrivaled aura with Donald Trump.
The latter has already announced that a tailor-made portfolio would be reserved for this “genius”: an audit of all federal agencies and a complete overhaul of the civil service, with massive cuts to be expected: “2 000 billion dollars! » or almost a third of the federal budget ($6,750 billion, or 6,250 billion euros, in 2024), he assured on stage at Madison Square Garden on October 27.
Nothing is left to chance
Guaranteed to play a disproportionate role in the next American government, without necessarily going beyond the stage of éminence grise, the richest man in the world, according to Forbes, is also the most famous who will walk the floor of the White House on the 20 January 2025 in the wake of Donald Trump. His certain presence sheds light on the seriousness of the preparations underway.
Unlike 2016 and the chaotic episode which followed the first victory of the “champion” Maga, Donald Trump this time left nothing to chance. Two ultra-conservative think tanks had been instructed to structure a hypothetical second term around two essential issues: the ideological course, attributed to the Heritage Foundation and summarized in a very controversial “Project 2025”; and human resources, entrusted to the America First Policy Institute (Afpi).
“Drain the swamp”
Led by the now essential Brooke Rollins, a 52-year-old Texan jurist, this preparatory work was so well carried out that more than 1,000 applications were accepted to occupy key positions in the administration and “drain the swamp” of Washington, as well as 100 executive decrees written to honor presidential promises on economic, migration and security matters.
Probable future chief of staff at the White House, in competition with campaign director Susie Wiles, Brooke Rollins will now concentrate on a task that is much more visible and more delicate, she who prefers the shadow to the light: the selection of candidates for ministerial positions. And there is no shortage of suitors.
In addition to Musk, former anti-vaccine Democratic representative and short-lived independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 70, could inherit a super-Ministry of Health, with the aim of “cleaning up” medical issues, according to Donald Trump himself. In particular, he wants to eradicate fluoride from drinking water, against the advice of experts.
Anti-vaccine Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 70, could inherit a super-Ministry of Health.
KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP
Several profiles of long-time loyalists also stand out, revealing the Trump clan's desire to choose personalities from the world of entertainment and business: Vince McMahon, the former CEO of the international wrestling federation (WWE), and Howard Lutnick , CEO of the Wall Street firm Cantor Fitzgerald, themselves included in the transition team along with Trump's two sons, Don Jr. and Eric, as well as future vice-president J. D. Vance.
The “warriors” rewarded
In pole position for quick nominations: Steve Miller, Trump's pen since 2017, 39 years old, will certainly be the omnipotent right-hand man of the occupant of the Oval Office. Marco Rubio, senator from Florida, 53, is running for the post of Secretary of State, noted for his radical views on China, Cuba and Iran. Rather favorable to Ukraine, he would have sided with Trump's desire to impose “a negotiated solution” as soon as possible. Doug Burgum, governor of North Dakota, 68, covets the Interior, Energy, and the State Department, too.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 39-year-old entrepreneur who supports mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, is reportedly being considered for Homeland Security. Mike Pompeo, former CIA director and Secretary of State, 60, is eyeing the Pentagon or Justice. Just like, in the latter case, Utah Senator Mike Lee, 53, California Representative Kevin McCarthy, 59, and Florida federal judge Aileen Cannon, 43, honored for leading a ruthless guerrilla war in special prosecutor Jack Smith, on the trail of Donald Trump. Within the Maga galaxy, “warriors” are always rewarded for their unconditional loyalty.
