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What kind of America does Trump have in mind? And above all, who are the men and women that he’ll choose to realize this vision? A definitive answer to these questions and to all the appointments and rumours that have been leaking out in recent days can only be given after the inauguration on 20 January. But one thing is clear: the tycoon intends to surround himself, or rather perhaps entrench himself, with people of absolute loyalty to his design. Some names are already official and have been announced these past few days by Trump on Truth, while some departments are still in the balance, but a decision will surely be reached in the coming weeks.
The circle of loyalists
One cannot fail to notice how Trump, in this new electoral round, has decided to change course when it comes to appointments. Let’s just think of the difference with his first term in office when, after winning the election against Clinton, he surrounded himself with Republican loyalists who were very attached to the state and its dynamics. A series of personalities who, in many cases, also abandoned him along the way. In spite of this, Trump managed to reshape the GOP to his own measure, to the point of arriving at a programme – the one presented in July during the Republican National Convention held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – strongly in the style of MAGA (Make America Great Again). Twenty points, all summed up in capital letters and strongly recalling the personalities that the President-designate is focusing to choose to build his very personal government team. They are MAGA loyalists, but also names that in some cases are causing much discussion and that, perhaps, could be a façade, the tycoon’s way of not burning his or her real candidate. There is certainly a strong anti-Chinese component, especially in the foreign and economic affairs departments. The Asian dragon remains in Trump’s mind a great enemy to be marginalized if not economically defeated. Then the battle that is sure to open on justice, a real raw nerve for The Donald, who has in fact thought of leaning on Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz. A possibility that has stirred up a lot of controversy and will certainly continue to fuel the debate in the coming weeks. Still in the eye of the storm, but moving on to healthcare, the tycoon’s choice has fallen on Robert F. Kennedy Jr to head the Department of Health and Human Services. This is the agency that deals with Americans’ health insurance, approving drugs and regulating food and health. Here Trump has decided to install Kennedy Jr, who is known to be very skeptical about vaccines. A decision that could create quite a few problems for Trump in the Senate.
Musk and the Doge
Then there is the big news within American politics, namely the involvement of the South African-born billionaire Elon Musk in the executive. He, together with Vivek Ramaswamy, has been entrusted with the leadership of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency). The objectives entrusted to these ‘extraordinary Americans’ – the tycoon’s words – mainly concern the dismantling of government bureaucracy, as well as the cutting of excessive and redundant regulations that often lead to unnecessary expenditure. In addition, there has been talk of restructuring federal agencies, which will probably result in a reduction of government personnel. In the meantime, Musk has posted an advertisement on X seeking Americans who want to be part of the department, ready to work 40 hours a week and without pay. It is not yet clear whether or not this ad is part of Musk’s rhetoric or a way to keep Americans’ attention on these issues. What is certain is that Trump, in referring to this department, wanted to talk about a modern-day Manhattan Project, likening Musk and Ramaswamy’s work to that of the scientists who came up with the atomic bomb.