Elon Musk, Robert F Kennedy Jr, Marco Rubio and Elbridge Colby are among the controversial figures tipped for roles in Donald Trump cabinet in his second White House term
Donald Trump, along with many of his golfing buddies and supporters, is expected to appoint a staunch anti-vaxxer to his first cabinet to lead US health policy.
Divisive tech tycoon Elon Musk has been implicated for his role in cutting public spending. And the next national security adviser could be the man who proposed scaling back aid to Ukraine.
After a night of heartbreak for Democrats, a Republican is almost certain to take office for a second time. His first term was marked by turmoil and division, and his top team, often referred to as a “war cabinet,” was regularly reshuffled and replaced.
Trump will probably not take any risks this time – he will be sure that those around him will remain loyal to him. He has not yet announced who will make up his cabinet, but there is strong speculation that Robert F. Kennedy could become Secretary of Health.
There are also rumors that Steve Bannon, who recently served a prison sentence for contempt of Congress, could play a key role in the Trump administration. Here we look at some of the figures who could shape US politics in the coming years.
Elon Musk
One of the most controversial figures in the world, Twitter/X and Tesla mogul Elon Musk, could play a key role in the Trump administration.
Republicans have hinted that Musk could become a “cost-cutting secretary,” which would give him the power to help cut utility spending. Of course, this raises concerns that he might target the authorities that regulate his own business.
Having spread far-right conspiracies on social media in recent months, Musk doesn’t seem to be holding back once he’s at the government table. In recent months, he has lashed out at Keir Starmer and the UK, suggesting that difficult times lie ahead for the special relationship.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The latest development in Kennedy’s political history could see Robert F. Kennedy Jr. play a key role in Trump’s admission.
The nephew of former President John F. Kennedy and son of Robert F. Kenney (both assassinated) has developed his own following among angry conspiracy theorists.
He has been one of the most vocal voices in spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines throughout the pandemic. The 70-year-old ran for president as an independent but later dropped out to endorse Trump.
There is strong speculation that he has the opportunity to influence vaccination policy, with potentially devastating consequences for the world. He is being considered as a candidate for health secretary.
Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio is anti-gay marriage and anti-abortion. He has been rumored as a possible candidate for Foreign Minister,
which would give him a leading role in US foreign policy. He has taken a tough stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him a “gangster.”
And he’s a company supporter of NATO, even going as a ways as introducing law to save you Trump pulling out of the bloc in 2019.
He have been withinside the going for walks for Trump`s going for walks mate earlier than the Republican opted alternatively for JD Vance.
Doug Burgum
The Governor of North Dakota is every other parent being related with the Secretary of State function. He has been the Trump campaign’s foremost marketing consultant on electricity policy, having neglected out at the Vice Presidential nomination.
He has been cricial of President Biden’s coping with of overseas resource to Ukraine, however has stated he helps persevering with help for Volodymr Zelensky. He might take a hawkish function on China, which he branded America’s “primary danger”.
Other names related with the Secretary of State submit consist of ultra-loyalist Richard Grenell who has been ambassador to Germany. Mike Pompeo – who held the location for maximum of Trump’s first term – is likewise a number of the names withinside the mix.
John Ratcliffe
A golfing friend of Trump’s, John Ratcliffe can be given manipulate of the CIA or as director of country wide intelligence. His loyalty to the Republican isn’t always in question, having served at the group protecting him in opposition to impeachment in 2020.
He is widely recognized for criticizing the FBI for being biased in opposition to Trump. It has been counseled that his appointment as director of country wide intelligence in 2019 turned into because of his “blind loyalty” to the then-President.
It comes in opposition to the backdrop of worries Trump should release a clampdown on his enemies. If decided on Ratcliffe might seem like a inclined soldier in that war.
Elbridge Colby
A stressful call related with the function of country wide protection adviser is Elbridge Colby.
He has formerly referred to as for americaA to cut back help for Ukraine. In December he tweeted: “The invasion of Ukraine is an evil act via way of means of the Russians and I morally help the Ukrainian defense. But america desires to stand the truth that we can`t do the whole lot withinside the world.”
Colby alternatively argues that americaA have to be focusing at the danger from China.
Ken Paxton
Another ultra-loyalist who should get a key function – in this situation as attorney-standard – is Ken Paxton.
The Texas attorney-standard waged a prison venture in opposition to Trump’s 2020 election loss in 4 states. He turned into additionally a number of the audio system at a pro-Trump rally earlier than the lethal Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021.
His appointment might increase questions on whether or not the regulation is applied. When Trump turned into requested if he might don’t forget Paxton to the function, he stated: “Hes very, very gifted. I mean, we’ve got numerous human beings that need that one and might be excellent at it. But hes a completely gifted guy.”
Sid Miller
One speculated appointment could be Sid Miller for Secretary of Agriculture. Miller is a former rodeo cowboy and MAGA supporter.
Interestingly, the Texas Secretary of Agriculture was fined in 2018 for misusing state funds for a trip to a rodeo in Mississippi. Miller is a known climate change skeptic and has said the state “should never build a wind turbine again.”
If he wins the role, he is likely to scale back climate change measures in agriculture.