Trump delivers Mar-a-Lago speech with Elon Musk and new HHS RFK Jr in attendance: Live updates
Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were in attendance for Donald Trump’s first public speech since winning the White House
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.President-elect Donald Trump spoke publicly for the first time since winning the White House at the America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida on Thursday night.
Those in attendance included billionaire Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who were recently named co-chairs of Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency. While speaking, Trump announced that North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum will be his nominee to lead the Department of the Interior.
Matt Gaetz, Trump’s pick for attorney general, was also in attendance. Gaetz resigned from his seat representing Florida in the House in light of the news on Wednesday. This will effectively end the House Ethics probe into allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use made against him.
“I don’t think it’s a serious nomination for the attorney general,” Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said.
Members of both parties have called for the House Ethics report to be released.
Trump also nominated former independent presidential candidate and anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
“For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health,” Trump said in statement.
Sylvester Stallone calls Trump ‘the second George Washington’ in Mar-a-Lago warm-up speech
Trump picks RFK Jr to lead Health and Human Services as they vow to make America healthy
RFK Jr picked to lead health agencies. Doctors warned it could trigger disease outbreaks
Trump’s made up DOGE agency is recruiting ‘super high-IQ’ people to work 80-hour weeks finding ways to cut spending
Trump’s Cabinet tracker: Who has been tapped to carry out his agenda
RFK Jr picked to lead health agencies. Doctors warned it could trigger disease outbreaks
Rates of routine vaccinations among children are dropping, the percentage of children who are exempted from vaccine requirements is at an all-time high and cases of measles are being reported across the country.
And it could soon get worse.
Doctors are now bracing for a future under president-elect Donald Trump’s and his administration. On November 14, Trump announced RFK Jr. as his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy, the former independent presidential candidate who bowed out of the race to endorse Trump, does not have a medical background, but his anti-vaccine Children’s Health Defense group and focus on chronic disease and chemicals in food — and promotion of misinformation and conspiracy theories — have drawn him enormous scrutiny and endorsements.
RFK Jr picked for health role. Doctors warned it could trigger disease outbreaks
Public health advocates are warning against an incoming powder keg of misinformation and conspiracy theories
Report: Woman testified to House Ethics panel that Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17
The woman in the middle of the DoJ investigation into allegations of sex trafficking against Matt Gaetz testified in front of the House Ethics Committee that the former Florida congressman had sex with her when she was 17 years old, according to ABC News.
Trump announced on Wednesday that he would nominate Gaetz to be his attorney general.
The DoJ investigation ended last year without charges against the 42-year-old, who has rejected the allegations.
Matt Gaetz’s constant defense of Trump made him a pariah in the House. It is what landed him the AG nod
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz to be his next attorney general.
The rightwing political bomb-thrower resigned from Congress on Wednesday, shortly before an Ethics Committee investigation was set to be released into his alleged drug use and sex with a minor, allegations Gaetz has rejected.
Trump was looking for someone who filled all of his requirements for what is likely to become the most important role following his own in the next administration. Gaetz is a loyal supporter and attack dog for the former president and much like Trump himself, he has been under federal investigation. The former congressman came out unscathed after a federal sex crime investigation, which he referred to as a product of the “deep state.”
How Matt Gaetz moved to the front of the line for America’s top lawyer
The former congressman came out unscathed after a federal sex crime investigation, which he referred to as a product of the “deep state”
Transition co-chair said before election RFK Jr would not be HHS Secretary
As Trump nominated RFK Jr to lead HHS, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins noted on X that transition co-chair Howard Lutnick said before the election that the anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist would not be in charge of the department.
Trump nominates RFK Jr as health secretary
Donald Trump announced on Thursday that anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jr will be his nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health.
The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country.
Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!
RFK Jr to be nominated as Health Secretary, Donald Trump Jr confirms
Donald Trump Jr confirmed reports on Thursday that Robert F Kennedy Jr will be nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Trump picks RFK Jr to lead Health and Human Services as they vow to make America healthy
Donald Trump will nominate vaccine skeptic and conspiracy-spreader Robert F Kennedy Jr to lead America’s largest public health body, the Department of Health and Human Services.
Politico first reported the nomination on Thursday shortly followed by CNN; it was not something that came as a surprise, as Trump’s own press secretary Karoline Leavitt had referred to RFK Jr as qualified and mentioned him as someone who would likely be nominated to join the incoming administration in a Fox News interview the same day.
Of course, the head of Donald Trump’s White House transition team — the man supposedly leading the staff search for the incoming president — had assured CNN as recently as October 30 that RFK Jr would specifically not be nominated to lead HHS.
But Thursday’s news would be in line with reporting from The Independent and other outlets pointing to one reality: the breakneck pace at which these decisions are being made by Trump himself, in some cases while his top staff are not part of the conversation.
Trump picks RFK Jr to lead Health and Human Services: report
Kennedy ran as independent candidate while attacking Covid-era lockdown rules, and has referred to vaccines as unproven and dangerous
Former Ethics Committee counsel calls for release of Gaetz report
The Chief Counsel of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Donald Sherman, wrote in a letter to the chairman and ranking member of the House Ethics Committee that they must release the report into allegations against attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz.
“While Mr. Gaetz can no longer be sanctioned by the Committee or the House, nothing in Committee or House rules bars the Committee from sharing its report, findings and exhibits with the public,” the former House Ethics Committee counsel wrote in a letter.
Report: Gorka and Anton possible picks for deputy national advisor
Trump advisors Sebastian Gorka and Michael Anton are both possible picks to serve as deputy national security advisor, according to Politico.
The president-elect has already announced that Florida Rep Michael Walz, a former Green Beret, will serve as his national security advisor.
Both Anton and Gorka would be controversial picks with some pushback to be expected.
Report: Trump expected to nominate RFK Jr to lead Health Department
Trump is expected to nominate former independent presidential candidate and anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Politico reported.
In his victory speech on election night, Trump said: “He’s going to help make America healthy again … He wants to do some things, and we’re going to let him get to it.”
“Go have a good time, Bobby,” he added.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments