As President-elect Donald Trump continues to shape his cabinet, a public debate has erupted over the crucial position of Treasury Secretary, fueled by billionaire Elon Musk’s call for greater transparency and public input.
Musk, tapped by Trump to co-lead a government efficiency commission, took to X, the social media platform he owns, to endorse Cantor Fitzgerald CEO and Trump transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick. He contrasted Lutnick with hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, characterizing Bessent as a “business-as-usual choice” while praising Lutnick’s potential to “enact change.”
“Business-as-usual is driving America bankrupt, so we need change,” Musk stated, arguing for a departure from conventional approaches. He framed the choice as a pivotal decision for the nation’s economic future.
The endorsement ignited discussion around the two potential candidates. Bessent, seen as the more traditional, business-friendly option, has expressed skepticism about cryptocurrency. Lutnick, conversely, has suggested its potential use for tax payments.
Adding fuel to the fire, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services Secretary, echoed Musk’s endorsement of Lutnick on X, highlighting Lutnick’s perceived support for Bitcoin: “Bitcoin is the currency of freedom, a hedge against inflation for middle class Americans. Bitcoin will have no stronger advocate than Howard Lutnik,” Kennedy Jr. wrote, misspelling Lutnick’s name.
The Treasury Secretary position remains the most prominent cabinet role yet to be filled. Other key positions, including the heads of the Education and Labor Departments, are also awaiting announcements, with numerous contenders vying for Trump’s favor.
Amidst the cabinet speculation, Trump announced the appointment of Will Scharf, a member of his legal team and former federal prosecutor, as assistant to the president and White House staff secretary. This announcement coincided with House Speaker Mike Johnson’s visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort this weekend.
Following a brief trip to Washington D.C. to meet with President Joe Biden and address House Republicans, Trump has primarily remained at Mar-a-Lago, which has hosted a series of galas and conservative events.
Trump’s planned attendance at the UFC heavyweight championship fight between Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones at Madison Square Garden marks a return to New York City, a location that has recently seen controversy surrounding the president-elect.
Trump’s long-standing relationship with UFC President Dana White, dating back to a 2001 UFC event at Trump Taj Mahal, further underscores his connection to the world of mixed martial arts. White, a vocal Trump supporter, has become an increasingly prominent figure in Republican politics, speaking at multiple Republican conventions and Trump’s recent victory party.
White’s impassioned speech at the victory party encapsulated the sentiment surrounding Trump’s resilience: “This is what happens when the machine comes after you…couldn’t stop him. He keeps going forward. He doesn’t quit.”
