After the US election: Controversial candidates: What Trump’s government could look like

Donald Trump promises a prosperous future for his country, a “golden age.” During the election campaign, the Republican indicated who he wanted to get at his side for his second term in office and spoke of the “best minds” in the country. Critics, on the other hand, see the possible candidates as more of a “chamber of horrors” because there are some of them who spread conspiracy theories and display a questionable understanding of democracy.

There are no concrete announcements yet as to who the newly elected, 47th President of the USA wants to form his cabinet with. But some names are already circulating. Who could Trump entrust with what tasks? An overview

Tech billionaire as a financial advisor

During the election campaign, Trump had promised to entrust tech billionaire Elon Musk with the leadership of a committee that would scrutinize US government spending if he won the election on November 5th. It remains to be seen whether he will make this happen. However, Musk actively interfered in Trump’s election campaign, including giving millions in gifts to voters. It stands to reason that the 53-year-old will claim an important position for himself.

However, there could be conflicts of interest because Musk’s company SpaceX is a contractor for the US government and Tesla is dependent on the decisions of US regulators. At the same time, Musk’s electric car factory is the focus of several investigations. Observers therefore consider a ministerial post to be out of the question, but an advisory role is not. Musk is also the owner of the online platform X, on which he often spreads conspiracy theories.

Merkel-Schreck as Foreign Minister

Richard Grenell is a name that is well known in Berlin. As president, Trump sent him as ambassador to Germany in 2018 – and Grenell hardly made any friends in political Berlin. He never felt really well treated there. Grenell did not skimp on criticism of then-Chancellor Angela Merkel – NATO commitments were often the subject of discussion. German diplomats still have to take a deep breath when Grenell comes up.

Even after his time in Berlin, Grenell repeatedly dealt against Germany. When the Foreign Office took aim at a statement made by Trump from a TV duel during the election campaign on Platform X, it didn’t go unnoticed by Grenell. He called the post election interference and wrote: “We clearly see this and will act accordingly.”

Grenell’s name comes up again and again when it comes to filling the important foreign minister position. In terms of foreign policy, the 58-year-old represents Trump’s “America First” policy. And even if Grenell does not move into the State Department in Washington, the loyalist is likely to be considered for a position in Trump’s government.

Anti-vaccination activist as health minister

Just a few days before the election, Trump announced that he would entrust well-known anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with a role in health policy. Kennedy had previously announced that Trump had promised him “control” of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture. He announced that he wanted to make Americans healthier, among other things, by moving away from the widespread use of pesticides in agriculture.

Kennedy initially ran in the presidential election as an independent candidate, but then withdrew his already hopeless candidacy and switched to the Trump camp. He comes from the prominent Kennedy family and is criticized for spreading conspiracy theories and contacts with right-wing extremist politicians.

Migration hardliner as homeland security minister

Stephen Miller worked as an adviser to the president in the White House during Trump’s first term in office. At that time he was the architect of Trump’s migration policy. He regularly denigrates immigrants in racist terms and portrays them as criminals. Miller is credited with detailed plans for mass deportations. He describes the short summary of his plan as follows: “Close the border and deport all illegals.”

To achieve this, Miller developed an ingenious concept. The military should also play a role in this. “The military has the right to set up a fortification on the border and say no one can come in here.” Despite his relatively young age of 39, Miller has already gained a lot of experience in politics – starting with the ultra-conservative Tea Party movement. Now he could, for example, take over the Department of Homeland Security.

Advisor from your own family

Already in his first term in office, Trump appointed family members to key positions in the White House, for example bringing daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner to his side as advisors. In this election campaign, Trump’s son Don Jr. (46) came to the fore. He is said to have played a key role in JD Vance becoming Trump’s running mate. At the Republican Party Convention in Milwaukee, the two’s close ties could not be overlooked.

It is quite possible that Trump will once again give important positions to his immediate family circle. His daughter-in-law Lara Trump, wife of his second eldest son Eric, had already put Trump at the head of the Republican Party in the spring.

The strong man for the Pentagon – Mike Pompeo

Before Mike Pompeo became Trump’s secretary of state, he was one of his harsh critics. Trump would become an authoritarian president, Pompeo warned before Trump’s election victory in 2016. But then he turned into a loyal Trump disciple and remains steadfastly loyal to the Republican to this day. This could now pay off. It is considered a foregone conclusion that the loyal Pompeo will be given a position in Trump’s government.

According to US media, he is considered to be defense minister. During his first term, Trump was dissatisfied with his secretaries at the Pentagon – first James Mattis and then Mark Esper. With Pompeo, Trump knows where he stands. Even as Foreign Minister, Pompeo represented Trump’s isolationist course – and at the same time relied on iron support for Israel, talks with North Korea and a tough approach against Iran.

Who could go away empty-handed?

Republican Nikki Haley, on the other hand, could come away empty-handed. She was once US ambassador to the United Nations under Trump. In the race for the Republican nomination, she then challenged her former boss, which he didn’t like at all – and repeatedly caused him to make mocking comments about his opponent. Haley did support Trump at the Republican convention. But according to reports, the 78-year-old has never forgiven his former top diplomat for her presidential bid.