Trump ‘to return to Madison Square Garden tonight’ as he picks oil CEO Chris Wright for energy secretary: Live

California Senator-elect, Trump nemesis and congressman, Adam Schiff, has called for the House ethics investigation report on former congressman Matt Gaetz to be turned over to the Senate.

US drugmakers saw their stocks tank on Thursday and Friday following the announcement that former independent presidential candidate and anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jr is president-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Kennedy has faced widespread criticism for his baseless claims that some vaccines are not safe and effective and that they’re linked to autism. He has said that he will institute a purge at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and that he will remove fluoride from the public water supply and take measures to limit ultra-processed food.

Gustaf Kilander has the latest.

Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is expected to be an “outside adviser” to the President-elect on Middle East issues, though reportedly may not have an official role in the administration.

Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, is a trusted advisor to the President-elect, having built up strong regional relationships during his time serving in the first Trump presidency from 2017 to 2021.

Mike Bedigan reports.

Alex Woodward writes:

The lawyers who defended Donald Trump in his criminal cases and demanded the Supreme Court shield him from prosecution have been awarded job offers for some of the biggest roles in federal law enforcement.

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Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi says that while “it’s an honor to be mentioned as a potential nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, she will remain in the Senate and plans to seek re-election in 2026.

Joe Rogan has claimed that several people in the entertainment industry have thanked him for endorsing President-elect Donald Trump.

Speaking on a recent episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the 57-year-old host shared that he had received praise from artists, musicians, and comedians for publicly supporting Trump in the 2024 election.

Inga Parkel reports.

A Fox News Media spokesperson tells The Independent that Fox Business host Larry Kudlow has no plans to leave the network for a role in the Trump administration.

They said: “Larry Kudlow recently signed a new deal to continue hosting his eponymous program on FOX Business and has no plans to leave his current role helming one of the highest-rated shows on the network.”

Here’s our earlier post regarding a report by The Wall Street Journal:

Trump considering Fox Business host for top economic job, report says

The Wall Street Journal reports that Donald Trump is considering Fox Business Network host Larry Kudlow for a senior economic policy role in his administration, according to people familiar with the matter.

Kudlow met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago late this week, the people said. He is seen as either a contender to lead the National Economic Council or possibly even the Treasury Department.

Kudlow formerly served as NEC director for almost three years during the first Trump administration.

Other contenders for the top job at Treasury include billionaire Cantor Fitzgerald Chief Executive Howard Lutnick and investor Scott Bessent. Both men are reported to have made “aggressive plays” to lead the department, which the Journal says has “irritated” the president-elect.

Eric Garcia writes:

Democrats are still trying to come to grips with the numerous reasons why Kamala Harris lost and now they have a new problem - how do they work with a Donald Trump administration and both houses under his party’s control.

Trump’s election win quickly changed to his transition, where he has made a number of controversial appointments and threatened to use the recess process to get them into power.

In the Senate, Republicans have enough seats for a majority, but many bills need at least 60 votes to avoid a filibuster. That means Democrats are going to have to think fast about how they work with Republicans or counter them given their minority.

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