Trump's TV Talents: From Fox to Cabinet

President-elect Donald Trump is assembling a Cabinet that reads more like a TV guide than a list of policy heavyweights. He's picked several faces from Fox News, including Sean Duffy for Treasury secretary and Pete Hegseth for the Pentagon. There's also Dr. Mehmet Oz, known for his health show, at the head of Medicare and Medicaid. Even the Department of Education is getting a former wrestling executive, Linda McMahon. Trump's picks are all about media savvy, with some like Oz and Hegseth facing controversies. Trump's team watches video clips of potential appointees' TV performances during their selection process. They're looking for people who can sell Trump's agenda on TV and defend his administration. This isn't a new strategy for Trump. He's always valued media polish, like when he tapped Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court.

Some of Trump's picks have traditional backgrounds, but they also know how to shine on cable news. Take Rep. Mike Waltz from Florida, who's now national security adviser. Or South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, set to lead Homeland Security despite limited experience. Even Wall Street exec Howard Lutnick impressed Trump with his TV defense of his economic plans. Democrats are criticizing this approach, calling it more like a reality TV show casting call than a serious Cabinet selection. The vetting process has also faced issues, with some picks withdrawing due to controversies.

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