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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

Oliver O'Connell,Joe Sommerlad
Wednesday 20 November 2024 00:49 GMT
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Donald Trump and Elon Musk watch SpaceX Starship test launch

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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. Trump is also set to name former WWE CEO Linda McMahon as education secretary, according to a report.

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.

Hacker reportedly accessed file with damaging testimony about Matt Gaetz

A hacker reportedly gained access to a computer file that contained damaging testimony made about Donald Trump’s controversial attorney general candidateMatt Gaetz.

The file is said to include testimony from a woman who claimed that she had sex with Gaetz in 2017 when she was 17, as well as corroborating testimony by a second woman who said that she witnessed the incident, a source told The New York Times.

It comes amid ongoing concerns over the former Florida congressman’s nomination. Gaetz, 42, previously faced a Justice Department’s investigation into allegations he sex trafficked a minor, but this has since been closed.

A House Ethics Committee also investigated allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor brought against Gaetz, with pressure now mounting for its report to be released ahead of Senate confirmation hearings.

Mike Bedigan reports.

Hacker reportedly accessed file with damaging testimony about Matt Gaetz

It comes amid ongoing concerns over the former Florida congressman’s nomination for Attorney General by Donald Trump

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 18:00

‘Free for all’ to get Treasury nomination, report says

Fox News reporter Paul Steinhauser has been told that “it’s a free for all for Treasury secretary” and there’s a “mad dash to find someone pro-tariff.”

The same source adds that Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick was offered an ambassadorship but rejected the offer.

He is now expected to become secretary of commerce.

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 17:50

Voices: I moved abroad after a US election. It didn’t go exactly as planned

Barbara Dessart writes:

The day after Donald Trump was declared the winner of the 2024 election, several MAGA faithful took to social media to encourage “friends” to relocate to another part of the world. They recommended moving companies, storage units, one-way tickets to Siberia – and saying goodbye with a GFY.

These were tongue-in-cheek responses, of course, but they were responding to serious suggestions. Many of those who had voted for Kamala Harris and were disappointed by the outcome had made comments that they would leave the States if Trump were elected. Rumblings of politically motivated departures were also made by celebrities such as Travis and Taylor, Barbra Streisand, Cher and America Ferrera.

I know how they feel.

Continue reading...

I moved abroad after a US election. It didn’t go exactly as planned

While many social media users and a handful of celebrities have suggested they’re looking into moving abroad rather than live under a second Trump presidency, I took the plunge following the election of George W Bush. I soon realized that I may have been a little naive

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 17:45

Watch: Trump heads to Texas for SpaceX launch

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 17:38

As Trump threatens to deploy military, polls show growing support for mass deportation

Donald Trump has confirmed the military could be used to carry out mass deportations, just as a new review of polling revealed growing support for his approach to tackling illegal immigration.

The president-elect also suggested a national emergency could be declared on the issue once he is in power, when he responded to a supporter’s post on his Truth Social platform on Monday morning.

Alex Woodward reports.

Polls show growing support for mass deportation as Trump threatens to use military

The president-elect has suggested a national emergency could be declared on the issue — but polling suggests while support for deportations has grown, the majority of voters still back a path to legal status

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 17:30

Former reality TV star turned Fox presenter named as Trump’s transportation pick

Donald Trump has now named his choice for transportation secretary – former reality TV star turned Fox presenter Sean Duffy.

The president-elect announced his pick in a post on Truth Social on Monday, saying that Duffy, a 53-year-old former Wisconsin congressman, is a “tremendous and well-liked public servant” who is “admired across the aisle” for his work with Democrats on expanding US infrastructure.

“He will prioritize Excellence, Competence, Competitiveness, and Beauty when rebuilding America’s highways, tunnels, bridges, and airports,” said Trump.

Io Dodds reports.

Trump names his transportation secretary – a former reality TV star turned Fox host

Sean Duffy is one of several current or former Fox News hosts appointed to Trump’s new cabinet

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 17:00

‘Let’s dance’: Marjorie Taylor Greene wants GOP to release all ‘sexual misconduct claims’ in wake of Gaetz ethics report

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 16:43

Picturesque Italian village offers $1 homes to Americans hoping to flee US after Trump victory

An Italian village is offering a special deal to Americans looking for an escape after former US president Donald Trump was re-elected for a second term.

Ollolai – located in central Sardinia – is one of the many rural Italian towns offering homes for just one euro ($1.06) in a bid to revitalize their economies.

Amber Raiken has the details.

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 16:40

Watch: Incoming Trump border czar threatens to prosecute people who hide migrants

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 16:30

Trump says he’s not looking for ‘retribution’ against the press... but only if he is treated 'fairly’

After agreeing to take meetings with journalists, President-elect Donald Trump says he’s “not looking for retribution” against the press, but warns if they don’t treat him fairly, “that will end.”

Despite calling for two networks’ broadcast licenses to be revoked and wanting a third to be investigated for treason on the campaign trail, now that he has been re-elected, Trump assured he has no plans to exact revenge on the media.

“I am not looking for retribution, grandstanding or to destroy people who treated me very unfairly, or even badly beyond comprehension,” he told Fox News Digital. But he also acknowledged that he “obviously” has “the upper hand at this moment.”

Kelly Rissman reports.

Trump says he isn’t seeking ‘retribution’ against the press if he’s treated ‘fairly’

After referring to the press as the “​​enemy of the people,” the 78-year-old suggested that he will take a new approach in his second term

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 16:20

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