US President-elect Donald Trump made his first cabinet appointment on Thursday following his decisive election victory, signaling his intention to reverse key policies from the outgoing administration by initiating talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump named Susie Wiles, his campaign manager, as White House chief of staff, making her the first woman to hold the high-profile role and marking the Republican’s first official appointment to his incoming administration.
Two days after his crushing defeat of Democrat Kamala Harris, Trump’s victory is already causing a stir in U.S. and global politics, with the inauguration still more than two months away.
Putin, who had previously praised Trump as “courageous” after a 2022 assassination attempt during a rally, expressed his readiness to engage in discussions with the president-elect. Although Trump confirmed he had not spoken with Putin since his win, he suggested to NBC News that “we’ll speak” soon, signaling a sharp contrast to the cold silence between President Joe Biden and the Russian leader since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trump has been critical of U.S. support for Ukraine and has pledged to work toward a peace deal in the ongoing conflict — a stance that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned could be “dangerous” amid calls for a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping joined the growing list of world leaders congratulating Trump. During the campaign, Trump faced criticism from Kamala Harris for his friendly stance toward authoritarian leaders like Putin and Xi.
On the domestic front, Trump doubled down on his hardline immigration policies, particularly his plans for mass deportations of undocumented migrants. In an interview with NBC, he asserted that there was “no price tag” too high for his immigration enforcement agenda, stressing that he had “no choice” but to take decisive action.
As Trump begins assembling his transition team at his Florida resort, President Biden has pledged an “orderly” transfer of power. In a televised address, Biden, 81, called for unity and urged Americans to “bring down the temperature,” offering a stark contrast to his own refusal to accept the 2020 election results. Biden has invited Trump to the White House for talks, but Biden’s spokeswoman confirmed that Trump’s team had not yet completed the paperwork needed to officially kickstart the transition process.
In his Rose Garden speech, Biden expressed optimism despite the Democratic loss, reminding his supporters that “a defeat does not mean we are defeated.” However, the Democratic Party is already grappling with finger-pointing over Biden’s decision to run for a second term, particularly his late withdrawal in July and the subsequent handing of the campaign to Harris. The White House denied reports that Biden regretted his decision, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre asserting that it was “the right decision at the time.”
Trump’s victory — despite facing a criminal conviction for fraud, two impeachments, and being the oldest-ever elected U.S. president at 78 — reflects a widespread desire for change after Biden’s presidency. Voter concerns over the economy and immigration were major drivers behind Trump’s success.
Trump’s first cabinet pick, Susie Wiles, is widely respected within his inner circle. During his victory speech, Trump praised her as “tough, smart, innovative,” and dedicated to “Make America Great Again.” Wiles, a 67-year-old Florida native, is set to play a key role in Trump’s administration.
The early frontrunners for other high-profile positions in the Trump 2.0 administration hint at the disruptive nature of his second term. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine activist, has been promised a “big role” in healthcare, although he clarified that he would not advocate for eliminating vaccines. He has also reiterated his plan to remove fluoride from public water supplies, despite its recognized health benefits.
Billionaire Elon Musk, a vocal Trump supporter and the world’s richest man, is reportedly in line for a role overseeing government waste audits. Musk’s endorsement of Trump, combined with his influence over companies like SpaceX, Tesla, and X, makes him a potential ally in shaping policy during a second Trump administration.
Trump’s return to the White House is expected to mark a sharp departure from Biden’s policies, particularly in areas like climate change. As a staunch climate change skeptic, Trump is poised to roll back many of Biden’s green initiatives, while pushing forward his pro-oil agenda with a “drill, baby, drill” mentality. However, some of Biden’s key investments, especially those benefiting congressional districts, could be harder to dismantle, potentially complicating Trump’s efforts to undo parts of the Biden legacy.
