President-elect Donald Trump‘s high-profile nominees for his second administration have simultaneously stunned Washington and prompted warnings from Trump not to outshine the boss.
During an America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-a-Lago Thursday night, Trump teased Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his pick for Health and Human Services Secretary, about the increasing attention the Kennedy scion has received.
“I think you’re going to do some unbelievable thing(s),” Trump told the crowd.
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“People like you, Bobby,” Trump continued in his approval of Kennedy. But he also cautioned, “Don’t get too popular, Bobby.”
Kennedy’s selection to lead HHS has baffled some health experts and could likely become entangled during the Senate confirmation process due to his previous health stances. The one-time Democrat turned third-party candidate has expressed skepticism and opposition to vaccines.
His “Make America Healthy Again” proposal to restrict ultra-processed food could rankle the all-powerful food industry and its lobbyists.
At a Madison Square Garden rally just before the election, Trump had also teased Kennedy would “go wild on health.”
The former president’s roots in television as the host of the NBC show The Apprentice and his ability to command media attention have given him strong insight into how to capture the American public’s focus. However, Trump is loathe to let anyone outshine him, hence his subtle warnings.
During the GOP presidential primary debates, he routinely scheduled counter events, depriving his rivals of the spotlight, in just one example.
Kennedy isn’t the only person joining Trump’s administration that has received a warning.
Trump also publicly taunted Elon Musk, the tech billionaire co-leading the new “Department of Government Efficiency” with Vivek Ramaswamy.
Musk’s PAC poured millions into helping Trump’s ground game and even started a $1 million daily giveaway to backers to gin up excitement. At Trump’s victory party, Trump spoke highly of Musk: “We have a new star. A star is born, Elon!”
Musk has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago in recent weeks, sometimes to the consternation of other Trump allies. Acting a bit as a shadow president, Musk has sat in nearly every job interview for the Trump transition, the New York Times reports. He joined Trump on a phone call with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and met privately with Iran’s United Nations ambassador.
A week after the election, Trump seems to have signaled Elon may be getting a tad too close.
“Elon won’t go home,” Trump joked during a triumphant meeting with the House GOP Conference on Wednesday. “I can’t get rid of him. Until I don’t like him.”
In a second Trump White House, Musk is poised to wield even greater power, advising how to slash excessive waste from federal spending.
Trump’s Cabinet picks to date include media-savvy figures with experience holding the spotlight and publicly defending Trump’s agenda. Trump has often referred to those around him in cinematic terms, such as someone fitting the role coming straight out of “central casting.”
Trump raised eyebrows when he nominated Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his defense secretary, namely because the TV personality lacked government experience to helm the massive bureaucracy that is the Department of Defense. While Hegseth is a decorated veteran, author, advocate, and Ivy League educated, Trump reportedly also liked him because he “has the look.”
Other administration officials have learned in the past that Trump is not above excoriating them if they step out of bounds.
Trump once slammed Ramaswamy during the presidential primary for targeting him. “Vivek started his campaign as a great supporter, ‘the best President in generations,’ etc. Unfortunately, now all he does is disguise his support in the form of deceitful campaign tricks,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post days before the Iowa caucuses.
“Very sly, but a vote for Vivek is a vote for the ‘other side’ — don’t get duped by this. Vote for ‘TRUMP,’ don’t waste your vote! Vivek is not MAGA,” he also wrote.
One GOP strategist said Trump’s picks should know to take a backseat to the president.
“It’s the Trump show,” the Republican told the Washington Examiner. “Stealing the spotlight from Trump is always an issue for anyone who joins the cast.”
Trump rewarded loyal ally, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, as his nominee for attorney general, a perch that would put him in charge of the Justice Department. Gaetz, a provocateur who once wore a gas mask on the House floor to make a point about COVID-19 restrictions, has a history of stirring up controversy.
If confirmed, which is far from a sure bet, Gaetz would lead the department that once investigated him over sex trafficking allegations involving a minor. The Florida congressman has denied any wrongdoing.
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But three years ago, Trump denied a report from the New York Times that Gaetz had asked him for a blanket pardon over the investigation. “Congressman Matt Gaetz has never asked me for a pardon,” Trump said at the time. “It must also be remembered that he has totally denied the accusations against him.”
Gaetz never received a pardon from Trump after he left office.
Former Hawaii Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has also faced skepticism after Trump nominated her as his director of national intelligence.
And even as she appeared at campaign events with the president-elect, there were awkward moments between the two.
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During a Wisconsin town hall event with Gabbard, Trump lamented he wasn’t doing a solo speech. “I figured I was going to come here and we’re going to make a speech. I have a speech all set for you. I was ready,” he told the crowd.
After he understood the event was a question and answer session, Trump said, “Oh, nobody told me that. I said ‘Who’s doing this? Tulsi?’ I said, ‘Well, that’s at least good news.’”
