Appointment of Trump transition chair signals influence of think tanks
A think tank comprised of former Trump White House officials may play a significant role in shaping the agenda for a potential second term of the former president.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump’s presidential campaign revealed on Friday that his transition team will be co-chaired by two prominent donors and allies: Linda McMahon, the former head of the Small Business Administration, and Howard Lutnick, chairman and CEO of financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald.
According to a press release from the campaign, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance and Trump’s adult sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, will serve as honorary chairs.
The selection of McMahon—ex-CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and currently the board chair at the America First Policy Institute—suggests that the conservative think tank, formed by former Trump administration officials following his 2020 election loss, may play a significant role in shaping a potential second term for Trump.
Often referred to as a Republican “White House in waiting,” AFPI is led by Brooke Rollins, who was the former domestic policy council director, and includes several top officials from the Trump administration. Rollins stated that McMahon is “a leader who knows how to build and lead large organizations.”
“She knows business. She knows policy. She knows America. She knows what works and how to lay the foundation for a new administration that will put the needs of America First and reclaim our country,” Rollins emphasized.
Lutnick, a billionaire, is a significant donor and fundraiser for Trump and recently hosted a successful fundraiser at his Hamptons home, raising millions for the GOP nominee.
The newly formed Trump Vance 2025 Transition Inc. will function as a 501c4 organization, operating separately from the campaign.
“The 2024 GOP Platform to Make America Great Again is a forward-looking agenda that will deliver safety, prosperity and freedom for the American people. My administration will deliver on these bold promises,” Trump stated. “We will restore strength, competence and common sense to the Oval Office. I have absolute confidence the Trump-Vance Administration will be ready to govern effectively on Day One.”
This announcement of the transition team comes at a time when the Trump campaign is working to stabilize its position after President Joe Biden decided against running in the 2024 election. The resultant Democratic ticket featuring Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has revitalized the party and diminished the polling advantage Trump previously held over Biden.
Trump's appointment of transition leaders occurs at a relatively late point in the presidential race. In 2016, he named Chris Christie as his transition chair in May, although he replaced the New Jersey governor just days after winning the election.
McMahon and Lutnick will oversee the vetting and hiring of political appointees, as well as the development of policy proposals and executive orders that Trump could put in place on the first day of his administration.
While Trump’s formal transition efforts were just announced, conservative groups have been working behind the scenes for months to gather resumes and formulate policies in anticipation of a possible return to the White House for the former president. Trump has distanced himself from some of these initiatives, particularly the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. He has stated that he knows “nothing about Project 2025” and labeled some of its policy proposals as “absolutely ridiculous,” despite the involvement of at least 140 individuals who were part of the Trump administration, according to a CNN review.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to a press release from the campaign, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance and Trump’s adult sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, will serve as honorary chairs.
The selection of McMahon—ex-CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and currently the board chair at the America First Policy Institute—suggests that the conservative think tank, formed by former Trump administration officials following his 2020 election loss, may play a significant role in shaping a potential second term for Trump.
Often referred to as a Republican “White House in waiting,” AFPI is led by Brooke Rollins, who was the former domestic policy council director, and includes several top officials from the Trump administration. Rollins stated that McMahon is “a leader who knows how to build and lead large organizations.”
“She knows business. She knows policy. She knows America. She knows what works and how to lay the foundation for a new administration that will put the needs of America First and reclaim our country,” Rollins emphasized.
Lutnick, a billionaire, is a significant donor and fundraiser for Trump and recently hosted a successful fundraiser at his Hamptons home, raising millions for the GOP nominee.
The newly formed Trump Vance 2025 Transition Inc. will function as a 501c4 organization, operating separately from the campaign.
“The 2024 GOP Platform to Make America Great Again is a forward-looking agenda that will deliver safety, prosperity and freedom for the American people. My administration will deliver on these bold promises,” Trump stated. “We will restore strength, competence and common sense to the Oval Office. I have absolute confidence the Trump-Vance Administration will be ready to govern effectively on Day One.”
This announcement of the transition team comes at a time when the Trump campaign is working to stabilize its position after President Joe Biden decided against running in the 2024 election. The resultant Democratic ticket featuring Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has revitalized the party and diminished the polling advantage Trump previously held over Biden.
Trump's appointment of transition leaders occurs at a relatively late point in the presidential race. In 2016, he named Chris Christie as his transition chair in May, although he replaced the New Jersey governor just days after winning the election.
McMahon and Lutnick will oversee the vetting and hiring of political appointees, as well as the development of policy proposals and executive orders that Trump could put in place on the first day of his administration.
While Trump’s formal transition efforts were just announced, conservative groups have been working behind the scenes for months to gather resumes and formulate policies in anticipation of a possible return to the White House for the former president. Trump has distanced himself from some of these initiatives, particularly the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. He has stated that he knows “nothing about Project 2025” and labeled some of its policy proposals as “absolutely ridiculous,” despite the involvement of at least 140 individuals who were part of the Trump administration, according to a CNN review.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
