Trump cabinet live updates: President-elect joins Musk for SpaceX launch and taps Dr Oz for key role
TV doctor joins Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick as latest additions to new Trump administration, as Treasury role remains vacant
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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.
Trump joked about a third term in 2028. So can he run again?
Helping out the First Buddy: Musk’s Tesla stock soars after reports Trump will ease rules on driverless cars
Doctors worry about RFK Jr’s anti-Ozempic stance (and many of his other views)
Trump’s Cabinet and staff tracker: Here’s who is among the White House appointments so far
Joe Scarborough, Trump and 20 years of sick conspiracies about the death of ‘Morning Joe' host’s aide
Since announcing their post-election meeting with Donald Trump, Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski have received a fierce backlash from the GOP and fellow members of the media, who described the stunt as “dishonest.”
The pair have defended their decision to visit the President-elect for the first time in seven years as an opportunity to “restart communications” after being fierce critics of Trump in the run-up to the 2024 election. In their coverage, Scarborough and Brzezinski described Trump as “erratic,” slamming his election fraud efforts and warning of “how dark of a place” the US would be if Trump won. In September, Scarborough said that it was “not a reach” to compare the President-elect to Hitler.
However, aside from the acrimony of the 2024 election cycle, a meeting between Scarborough and Trump is even more astonishing given their previous interactions, centered around the death of a young congressional staffer Lori Klausutis more than 20 years ago.
Mike Bedigan reports.
Joe Scarborough, Trump and sick conspiracies about death of Morning Joe host’s aide
Joe Scarborough’s controversial meeting with Donald Trump is all the more remarkable given the things Trump has said about the Morning Joe host. Mike Bedigan examines the history between the pair
Trump deportation surge: How many people did Obama, Biden and Trump actually deport?
Donald Trump has threatened to use the military to enact mass deportations after making illegal immigration one of his flagship policies during the 2024 election — with the president-elect saying he will boot millions of people from the country.
Trump has boasted of planning the “largest deportation operation in American history,” saying there is no price tag for the scheme. His chosen border czar Tom Homan is a hardliner, having promised “shock and awe” when he starts the job and describing current government policy on immigration as “national suicide.”
But beyond the hyperbole, how many migrants would Trump have to remove for it to be the biggest deportation the U.S. has ever seen?
Here is a look at the track record of the last three presidents — including Trump — on how many people have actually been deported:
How many people did Obama, Biden and Trump actually deport?
President elect Trump has threatened to use the military to enact his mass deportation plan — but how does his track record compare to his Democrat rivals?
Biden's $100 billion disaster aid request includes money to rebuild the collapsed Baltimore bridge
President Joe Biden’s pending request for nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid includes money to rebuild Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed under the impact of a massive container ship that lost power and veered off course in March.
Within hours of the disaster, Biden said the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect the Congress to support my effort.” He visited Baltimore in the weeks that followed and reiterated his pledge of support.
Continue reading...
Biden's $100 billion disaster aid request includes money to rebuild the collapsed Baltimore bridge
President Joe Biden’s pending request to Congress for nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid includes money to rebuild Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge after its deadly collapse in March
Watch: GOP senator says recess appointment of Gaetz ‘not even on the cards'
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.
Trump’s Cabinet tracker: Here’s who is among the White House appointments so far
Here is who Donald Trump has chosen to fill key cabinet positions in his second administration
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.
SpaceX aborts ‘chopstick’ catch of Starship rocket as Musk and Trump watch on
SpaceX has aborted an attempt to catch its Starship rocket using a “chopsticks” system.
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.
In pictures: Trump joins Elon Musk to watch SpaceX test flight
Full story: Trump names Dr. Oz to lead Medicare and Medicaid
President-elect Donald Trump tapped Dr Mehmet Oz to serve as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator.
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.
Trump names Dr. Oz to lead Medicare and Medicaid
The TV doctor will work closely with RFK Jr, Trump announced on Tuesday
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.
Matt Gaetz might not be the AG you imagine. He’s worked with Democrats for years
Trump’s nominee has been quietly working across the aisle for years on a specific set of policies. Andrew Feinberg speaks to those, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pramila Jayapal, who have collaborated with the controversial MAGA figure before
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments