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Donald Trump joined Elon Musk in Texas to watch this afternoon’s SpaceX Starship test launch as his proposed administration continues to take shape.
On Tuesday, the president-elect named Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick as commerce secretary. Lutnick was under consideration for treasury secretary, with reports that there is a “free for all” and a “mad dash to find someone pro-tariff” to take up the role.
Trump also tapped Dr Mehmet Oz as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator — working closely with Robert F Kennedy Jr.
On Capitol Hill, the controversial choice of Matt Gaetz as potential attorney general continues to cause a stir, with reports that a hacker has accessed a file of damaging testimony about the former congressman from an ethics investigation.
In other developments, Trump confirmed his intention to deploy the military to carry out his mass deportation plan in a Truth Social post, and on Fox News, his incoming border czar Tom Homan threatened prosecution for anyone who hides migrants.
Finally, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has told Judge Juan Merchan he will not oppose postponing Trump’s sentencing in his hush-money case but rejects attempts by the defense to throw out the conviction.
Who’s who in Trump’s upcoming administration
President-elect Donald Trump is filling key posts in his second administration, rewarding longtime loyalists and aides and allies who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign and in his legal battles.
Here’s a look at who he’s selected so far.
Oliver O’Connell19 November 2024 23:00
Full story: SpaceX aborts ‘chopstick’ catch of Starship rocket as Musk and Trump watch on
If you listened to any of Trump’s rallies in the weeks before the election — and indeed (bizarrely) his victory speech — you’ll know that the “chopstick” catch is his favorite part.
Maybe they’ll pull it off next time.
Oliver O’Connell19 November 2024 22:45
Linda McMahon to be named education secretary, report says
CNN’s Kristen Holmes reports that Trump transition co-chair Linda McMahon is expected to be named as Education Secretary, according to four sources familiar with the matter.
The decision was formed after her co-chair Howard Lutnick was given his role as secretary of commerce, a role McMahon reportedly wanted.
McMahon led the Small Business Administration in the first Trump administration.
Oliver O’Connell19 November 2024 22:38
Oliver O’Connell19 November 2024 22:29
Full story: Trump names Dr. Oz to lead Medicare and Medicaid
The physician, TV personality, and failed Pennsylvania Senate candidate is the latest addition to Trump’s list of controversial cabinet picks.
Kelly Rissman has the story.
Oliver O’Connell19 November 2024 22:10
ANALYSIS: Matt Gaetz’s surprisingly nuanced record in Congress makes him a genuinely interesting Attorney General pick
Andrew Feinberg speaks to those, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pramila Jayapal, who have collaborated with controversial MAGA figure Matt Gaetz in the past on specific policy issues.
Oliver O’Connell19 November 2024 21:50
Watch LIVE: Donald Trump joins Elon Musk to watch the SpaceX Starship test flight
Oliver O’Connell19 November 2024 21:28
‘Morning Joe’ defends Trump meeting
Oliver O’Connell19 November 2024 21:10
Could the stock market be last guardrails to corral Trump’s wildest whims?
But there is one force that could keep some of his plans at bay — the stock market.
Oliver O’Connell19 November 2024 21:00
Trump taps Dr OZ to run Medicare and Medicaid
President-elect Donald Trump released the following statement:
I am very pleased to nominate Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator. America is facing a Healthcare Crisis, and there may be no Physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again. He is an eminent Physician, Heart Surgeon, Inventor, and World-Class Communicator, who has been at the forefront of healthy living for decades. Dr. Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake.
Our broken Healthcare System harms everyday Americans, and crushes our Country’s budget. Dr. Oz will be a leader in incentivizing Disease Prevention, so we get the best results in the World for every dollar we spend on Healthcare in our Great Country. He will also cut waste and fraud within our Country’s most expensive Government Agency, which is a third of our Nation’s Healthcare spend, and a quarter of our entire National Budget.
Oliver O’Connell19 November 2024 20:54