Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

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
Tuesday 19 November 2024 23:01 GMT
Comments
Donald Trump and Elon Musk watch SpaceX Starship test launch

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.

Watch: Trump FCC nominee suggests action against CBS over ‘60 Minutes’ interview with Kamala Harris

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 15:57

Trump and Cruz to join Musk at SpaceX launch this evening, report says

Donald Trump and Ted Cruz will join Elon Musk this evening for the latest SpaceX launch in Texas this evening, CNN reports.

The three of them will fly there from West Palm Beach.

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 15:50

Ruben Gallego begs Democrats to ditch ‘Ivy League’ advisers

Kamala Harris’s defeat to Donald Trump was caused by many factors, and one of them was a surge of Latino support for the GOP ticket even as Democrats were confident that warnings about Trump’s mass deportation plan would prevent that from happening.

Now, one of the Democrats who won on November 5 despite the underperformance of the top of his party’s ticket is warning members of his party to actually listen to Latino voters if they want to win them back for future election cycles.

John Bowden reports.

After beating Kari Lake, Gallego begs Democrats to ditch ‘Ivy League’ advisers

Gallego says Democrats ignored warning signs with working-class Latinos because they listened to ‘Ivy League’ consultants

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 15:40

MTG calls for a ‘national divorce’ from Americans not on board with Trump’s agenda

Marjorie Taylor Greene has revived her calls for “a national divorce” from Americans who are not on board with Donald Trump’s agenda.

The Georgia Representative and fierce Trump ally pushed for a national divide between blue and red states because of the so-called “threat” Democratic governors pose to the president-elect’s agenda.

Rhian Lubin reports.

Marjorie Taylor Greene calls for ‘national divorce’ from Trump critics

The Georgia Representative and fierce Trump ally pushed for a national divide between blue and red states

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 15:20

How Trump’s family will influence politics outside the White House

There may be fewer Trumps milling around the Oval Office this time around but ethical questions and party influence will continue to swirl around the famous family, writes Josh Marcus.

Trump family won’t be in the White House, but they’ll be just as influential outside

There may be fewer Trumps in the White House this time around but ethical questions and party influence will continue to swirl around the famous family, writes Josh Marcus

Joe Sommerlad19 November 2024 15:00

Trump’s promises to overhaul health agencies with RFK met with some optimism and widespread dismay

Donald Trump’s plans to drastically shake up the nation’s public scientific and health apparatus have been met with enthusiasm from certain corners even as scientific and medical experts warn they could prove highly dangerous to the federal government’s public health work and scientific credibility.

Josh Marcus reports.

Trump’s promises to overhaul health agencies with RFK met with optimism and dismay

Trump has suggested openness to sweeping changes like banning vaccines and removing flouride from water

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 14:48

Watch: Trump’s share of popular vote drops below 50%

Oliver O'Connell19 November 2024 14:39

Sarah Palin miffed Trump isn’t nominating her for a cabinet post

As Trump continues to unveil his picks for his new administration, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee and ex-governor of Alaska has been busy posting screenshots from her fans expressing their frustration that she hasn’t been chosen for a cabinet role – seemingly suggesting she shares their annoyance.

Kelly Rissman has this on the forgotten woman of American populism.

Sarah Palin appears miffed Trump isn’t nominating her for a cabinet spot

‘Sarah Palin is the Mother of MAGA,’ one social user wrote. Then added that it looks like ‘she will not get a seat at the table that she helped set’

Joe Sommerlad19 November 2024 14:20

USMNT captain Christian Pulisic joins ‘Trump Dance’ craze

The AC Milan midfielder scored in his country’s 4-2 victory over Jamaica yesterday and became the latest sportsman to celebrate by mimicking the president-elect’s ludicrous rally dance.

Here’s how the same move is taking over the NFL.

The Trump dance takes the NFL by storm

The Trump dance is becoming a trend around the NFL

Joe Sommerlad19 November 2024 14:00

Education secretary hopeful demands Oklahoma school students watch video of him praying for Trump

Oklahoma’s chief school officer and Trump administration education secretary hopeful Ryan Walters is now demanding that students in the state watch a video of him praying for Donald Trump.

In an email circulated to Oklahoma public school superintendents last week, Walters ordered them to play the video to “all kids that are enrolled” in their districts as well as to the students’ parents.

Walters wrote that it was “a dangerous time for this country” and that students “rights and freedoms regarding religious liberties are continuously under assault,” The Oklahoman reported.

In the bizarre video, Walters also announced the formation of a new office in the state called “the Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism.”

Rhian Lubin has more.

Education secretary hopeful demands students watch video of him praying for Trump

Ryan Walters, who ordered schools in Oklahoma to incorporate the Bible into classroom curriculum, is in the running to be named Trump’s education secretary

Joe Sommerlad19 November 2024 13:40

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in