Trump plans shake-up with loyalists in key roles
Donald Trump, the winner of the US presidential election, intends to fill key positions in his administration with loyalists, as reported by the British daily "Financial Times" on Wednesday. The challenge, however, lies in selecting individuals who will remain loyal to him and secure nominations in the Senate.
5:44 PM EST, November 6, 2024
According to the "Financial Times," Trump plans to surprise with unconventional nominations again, bypassing politicians who have been associated with Washington for years.
Susie Wiles, his campaign manager who has overseen Republican campaigns at various political levels for over four decades, is considered for the White House Chief of Staff position. Other candidates include Brooke Rollins and Kellyanne Conway, former political advisors to Trump.
A key choice will also be the appointment of the Secretary of the Treasury. Two giants of the financial sector are being considered: Scott Bessent and John Paulson. Trump is still deliberating which of them will be more suitable for this role.
According to information from the "Financial Times" and the Politico portal, the U.S. Secretary of State might once again be Mike Pompeo, who has become one of Trump's closest associates. Alternatively, Ric Grenell, former U.S. ambassador to Germany and director of national intelligence, is under consideration.
The candidates for Secretary of Defense are Mike Waltz, a former Trump security advisor, and Tom Cotton, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, known for his support of Trump’s radical solutions in foreign and defense policy.
The new president also announced that Elon Musk, billionaire and owner of the X platform, will chair a new commission responsible for the productivity of federal institutions. Trump stated that this body will "conduct a general audit of the federal government and develop recommendations for the administration to implement radical changes."
According to AP's calculations, Donald Trump has won 277 electoral votes, winning the presidential election in the USA. The President-elect thanked Americans for electing him as head of state. Republicans likely also gained control of the Senate and have a chance to maintain a majority in the House of Representatives.
