Trump names major donors and adult sons to lead transition team

Former President Trump on Friday announced the leadership for his transition team that will steer policy and personnel efforts ahead of his potential return to the White House.

Trump’s official transition will be led by two top donors to his campaign: Linda McMahon, who previously served as head of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, and businessman Howard Lutnick, head of the financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald.

McMahon and Lutnick will serve as co-chairs, Trump announced in a press release. His running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), will serve as an honorary chair, as will his elder sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump.

“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 said in a statement. “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.”

Naming a transition team in advance of Election Day is standard procedure for presidential campaigns, as it lays the groundwork to take office in the case of a win.

Lutnick hosted a fundraiser for Trump in the Hamptons earlier this month. McMahon, who co-founded World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., has led the pro-Trump think tank America First Policy Institute in recent years.

Trump Jr. has spoken openly about his desire to have a hand in determining who might serve in a second administration for his father, saying during the Republican National Convention last month that he wanted “veto power” to overrule picks he did not trust.

“I want to block the liars. I want to block the guys that are, you know, pretending they’re with you. I just want to block the bad actors. I just want to be a block. That’s it,” he said.