The article discusses the ongoing political tensions surrounding the appointment of the U.S. Treasury Secretary for President-elect Donald Trump’s second administration. It highlights the public endorsements and internal conflicts among candidates for the position. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, expressed his support for Howard Lutnick, stating that he could bring real change as Treasury Secretary and criticized another candidate, Scott Besant, as merely continuing the status quo. Robert Kennedy Jr. also endorsed Lutnick. Meanwhile, Besant is reportedly favored by those preferring a stable approach, while Lutnick has the backing of Trump’s staunch supporters.
The article mentions the importance of the Treasury Secretary role in executing significant policies like tax reforms and trade negotiations, with Trump’s administration insiders, including Musk, having substantial influence on the decision. Potential alternative candidates such as Robert Lighthizer and Jay Clayton are also being considered.
Trump’s other cabinet appointments are moving swiftly, with Chris Wright nominated for Energy Secretary. The piece criticizes Trump’s impulsive selection process, citing examples where decisions seem to have been made hurriedly without thorough vetting, leading to controversies within the Republican party itself. Despite criticisms, Trump appears to be prioritizing loyalty in his cabinet formation for his second term to avoid past administration errors.