Trump's Cabinet Picks: Hedge Fund Honcho and Med-Tech Maven

Trump's Cabinet Picks: Hedge Fund Honcho and Med-Tech Maven

4 minute read
Published: 11/23/2024

In a surprising twist, Trump unveiled his latest Cabinet nominees, featuring a roster so diverse it could host its own reality show – with roles ranging from Surgeon General to Secretary of Defense and even a former Fox News host!

Trump's latest Cabinet selections read like the cast of a political sitcom, blending seasoned professionals with former TV personalities, including Scott Bessent for Treasury and Pete Hegseth for Defense. With a 53-seat Republican majority, these picks not only promise lively Senate hearings but also set the stage for a government that puts the 'fun' in dysfunctional.

Leading the charge is Scott Bessent, who previously served as the chief investment officer at Soros Fund Management. While most hedge fund honchos might prefer a quiet life of luxury, Bessent has opted for the bustling arena of government finance. He's touted his American Dream narrative and is expected to push economic policies that align snugly with Republican ideals, possibly involving a few quarters and slot machines along the way.

Following closely behind is Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who has been appointed to head the Labor Department. She's anticipated to improve conditions for American workers, which is a noble task considering the challenges they face. If she does well, she might just be the closest thing to a superhero that the office has seen since someone accidentally deleted a crucial email thread.

Dr. Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination as U.S. Surgeon General adds a necessary dash of medical expertise to the ensemble. Known for her commentary during health crises, Dr. Nesheiwat’s selection seems particularly timely—it's almost as if someone at the White House remembered that illness doesn’t take a political break. Her experience in public health will hopefully help steer America toward a healthier, albeit more 'well-informed' populace.

In the realm of numbers and budgetary antics, Ross Vought has been selected as director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vought’s job will be to ensure the government doesn’t spend like a teenager with their parents’ credit card—although the chances of that seem to dwindle with each passing political season. Should he fail, we might just find ourselves budgetarily 'impaired.'

Meanwhile, pushing the FDA is Marty Makary, whose nomination suggests that innovation in food and drug policies could be on the horizon—unless he spends most of his tenure trying to figure out how to regulate kale. With numerous food fads floating around, managing the bureaucracy surrounding our diets is sure to be a treat.

For the CDC, Dave Weldon aims to bring a steady hand during turbulent times. His task of overseeing public health would make anyone sweat, especially considering how pandemics can throw a wrench in any politician's plans. If only there were a vaccine for political blunders. But until then, Weldon is left to juggle an unprecedented workload.

Then there’s Scott Turner, chosen to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development. His previous experience on the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council should give him a realistic view of the challenges that lie ahead—especially as it pertains to housing prices that seem to have access to an all-you-can-eat buffet of inflation.

Of course, each of these selections awaits Senate confirmation. With the Republicans holding a 53-seat majority, the odds are in favor of these nominees unless they inadvertently find themselves wrapped in a Twitter scandal that involves a meandering thread of questionable judgment.

Among these nominees, we're also graced with the presence of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio representing the State Department and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. taking charge at Health and Human Services. We can only hope that ‘big government’ holds off on getting too ‘big’ this time around, especially in sectors where everyone has an opinion.

Lastly, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth can now add 'Secretary of Defense' to his resume. Between political commentary and military strategy, Hegseth's transition might just be the high-stakes game of rock-paper-scissors the nation didn’t ask for but is getting nonetheless. Whatever happens, at least we can count on dramatic pauses—and the occasional barbed commentary.

All things considered, Trump's picks reflect a mélange of expertise and personality that guarantees the kind of political dialogues that make you question whether the producers of this reality show called governance should apply for an Emmy. Only time will tell if this Cabinet can function cohesively or if they’ll disband like a band after their first tour.