Trump’s Cabinet of Horrors
Trump’s Cabinet of Horrors
Trump is moving forward with appointments for the new government, choices that are quite controversial and seem aimed at disrupting the status quo. The appointment process for Trump’s new administration in the United States continues. The list of colleagues and ministry officials has been enriched in the past few hours with the appointments of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education, Muhammad Azar as head of Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Howard Lutnick as Secretary of Commerce.
Based on what has happened so far, the power transition process is still proceeding based on the principle of absolute loyalty as the main criterion for selection. The risk cannot be too high; Trump must manage very sensitive issues, from the war in Ukraine to conflicts in the Middle East, the migration crisis, and relations with China.
To face these challenges, the President-elect is forming the most controversial team in modern American history, consisting of entrepreneurs, Trump-supporting MAGA politicians, Wall Street executives, and individuals outside of politics with controversial backgrounds. Some appointments may even face vetoes from Republican senators, a situation that might force Trump to try to bypass the approval process by the U.S. Senate.
An Anti-Vaxxer in the Department of Health
One of the names most likely to be rejected is undoubtedly Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of Bob Kennedy, for the Department of Health. If his appointment is confirmed, Kennedy, who is openly anti-vaccine, will lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the office that sets U.S. health policies and oversees 13 federal agencies, which he has previously stated he intends to dismantle, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
One of the reasons Republicans might refuse to confirm him is his stance on conspiracy theories and anti-science views regarding vaccines and the COVID pandemic. Kennedy has claimed that the virus may have been designed in a lab and that it has been ethnically targeted, affecting some populations more than others. It is no coincidence that his appointment has caused a sharp drop in the stocks of all pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, Kennedy has raised doubts about the link between HIV and AIDS and has identified 5G technology as a tool for controlling human behavior.
A Wrestling Lady in the Department of Education
Trump has selected Linda McMahon, one of the founders of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and co-chair of his transition team, as Secretary of Education. McMahon, a long-time ally of Trump, previously led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first presidency and has donated millions to his presidential campaign. Announcing her selection on the social network Truth Social, Trump stated that McMahon would use her decades of leadership experience and deep knowledge of education and business to empower the next generation of American students and workers.
Several times in the past, Trump has attacked the Department of Education and promised to shut it down, an idea long supported by Republicans who object to overly progressive curricular trends. This federal agency, established in 1979, is also responsible for overseeing public school funding, managing student loans, and programs to assist low-income students. Last month, McMahon was legally pursued in a lawsuit involving WWE, accused of knowingly allowing a ringside reporter who died in 2012 to abuse teenage boys. The McMahon family has denied any wrongdoing.
The Tariff Man in the Department of Commerce
After weeks of uncertainty and rumors, Trump has chosen the next head of the Department of Commerce. He selected Howard Lutnick, the 63-year-old CEO of the investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald, known as a staunch supporter of tariff policies.
Lutnick was previously a significant member of Trump’s team and, along with Linda McMahon, has managed the President-elect’s transition team in recent weeks. As Secretary of Commerce, he will be responsible for implementing a major portion of Trump’s economic program, including the promise to impose a 10% tariff on all imports and 60% on Chinese goods.
According to Axios, Lutnick hoped to become Treasury Secretary, but it seems Trump is considering other options. Nevertheless, his role in the Department of Commerce will allow him more direct control over tariff policies.
The selection of a Treasury Secretary is considered a critical decision, as this department, in addition to economic duties, manages public debt and coordinates with the Federal Reserve to set monetary policies for the world’s largest economy.
Appointing a loyal individual like Lutnick to one of the highest positions in the new government is certainly not surprising. Entrusting an aggressive trade agenda to someone outside of Trump’s circle would have been nearly impossible even for Trump himself, between managing the CHIPS Act—a U.S. federal law passed in 2022 aimed at encouraging semiconductor production in America—and export controls on sensitive technologies and tariff reviews for national security, known as Section 232. Lutnick will be tasked with intensifying competition with China.
The aim of this law is to boost semiconductor production within the United States, reduce dependency on other countries for this critical technology, and foster innovation in this field. By providing financial aid and economic incentives to companies, the law seeks to grow the semiconductor industry in America and bring chip production back to the country.
Whether and how the significant legacy of former Secretary Raimondo will end is not a trivial matter. Trump then implicitly mentions additional direct responsibilities for the Wall Street billionaire within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, another prominent trade position that reports directly to the President, which is currently still unfilled. An unusual move that sends a strong signal not to dissenting voices regarding tariffs within the future government.
