November 6th, 2024: Millions across the nation watched their televisions anxiously as the future of our country was unclear. Who would be victorious in the 2024 election? Would it be former president and businessman Donald Trump or current vice president and former senator Kamala Harris?
November 7th, 2024; 5:35 A.M: Former president Trump had won the necessary votes in crucial swing states, including but not limited to; Georgia, North Carolina, and most notably Pennsylvania. News outlets came to a consensus after Trump had secured the necessary votes in Wisconsin. 270, a lucky number in politics came in former president Donald Trump’s favor.
Although we know who will be the head of our nation, cabinet members, or the ones who advise our president on important policies in their department, were not chosen synonymously with the president and vice president. This article will take a deeper look at some people Trump has selected (so far) to represent and influence our future presidential administration.
Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio was born in Miami, Florida to Cuban parents, and has emphasized his roots throughout his campaigns. He currently serves as a senator for the state of Florida, a seat he has held for the past 13 years. Before then, he was the Speaker of the House in Florida’s House of Representatives. As of now, he is the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, where he has been vocal about his support of Israel in the Israel-Palestine War and opposition to several countries, some of which include China and Iran.
Many news outlets have deemed this pick controversial, as Rubio’s other political views don’t align with the goals of the Trump Administration. (Note: He ran for president in 2016, but ultimately dropped from the race after losing in the Florida primary to Donald Trump)
Secretary of Treasury: Scott Bessnet
Born in South Carolina, Bessnett attended Yale University where he studied political science. He is a successful businessman who has worked with multiple companies including Soros Fund Management, where he was able to get $1 billion for his firm. In 2015, he founded the Key Square Group, a hedge fund firm. Bessnet was able to garner over $5 billion in assets for his company. However, his company has seen inconsistencies in revenue, pushing potential clientele away.
Bessnett has been very open in his support of the former president, as he has donated about $60 million to Trump’s campaigns (2016-2024), via personal donations and fundraisers. Besnet has spoken about his support in extending outlines for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (this act created a flare corporate tax rate at 21%) and increasing tariffs gradually. This pick differs vastly from the current Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen.
Secretary of Education: Linda McMahon
McMahon was born in North Carolina in a Welsh-American household. When she was a teenager, she would meet her business partner and husband, Vince McMahon. They had a few jobs before their big breakthrough, where they founded Titan Sports Inc. (now known as WWE). She helped build the brand through product merchandising and eventually became CEO in 1997. She stepped down from this position in 2009 to run for senator. McMahon is still a minority owner of this company.
McMahon has been a long-time supporter of Donald Trump, but this pick is a very interesting one. McMahon has no real experience in the education field, but as CEO of the WWE, she created the GET R.E.A.L Program, connecting wrestlers with school children. In her past senate campaigns, she was an advocate for secondary school reform, a view that McMahon still holds today.
These are just three of several appointments Donald Trump and his administration have made over the last few weeks. Also, these appointments have to be confirmed by the Senate after Trump’s inauguration in mid-January.
