As President-elect Donald Trump assembles his administration, one key factor is standing out in his selections: television experience. Trump, known for his love of the spotlight, is choosing individuals with a background in TV, particularly those who have appeared on his favorite network, Fox News.
Notable picks for key positions include Pete Hegseth for defense secretary and Sean Duffy for transportation secretary. Both have served as hosts on Fox News. Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, also has TV credentials, having hosted a show on the network from 2008 to 2015. Additionally, Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former talk show host and heart surgeon, was chosen to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Trump, who rose to fame as a reality TV star, has made it clear that he wants loyalists in his administration, even if their qualifications have raised concerns. His picks often blur the lines between politics and celebrity, a trend that has sparked commentary from others, including Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, who joked about the administration becoming a “nuclear-armed reality television show.”
The pattern of choosing TV personalities isn’t new for Trump. His previous administration also saw several media figures appointed to key positions. Individuals like John Bolton, Larry Kudlow, and Heather Nauert were all familiar faces from TV, particularly from Fox News. Even Omarosa Manigault Newman, who gained fame on Trump’s show The Apprentice, briefly worked in the White House before her firing.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who helped lead Trump’s 2016 transition team, said that Trump’s cabinet selections today feel similar to casting for a TV show. He pointed out that Trump has always had a knack for picking people based on their screen presence. Christie mentioned that even eight years ago, Trump was conducting “Apprentice-like interviews” at his club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Trump has repeatedly highlighted the media experience of his picks. For example, he praised Duffy as a “STAR on Fox News” and noted Hegseth’s eight years of hosting at the network, during which he advocated for veterans and the military. Trump also celebrated Oz's achievements, such as winning nine Daytime Emmy Awards for his TV show The Dr. Oz Show, where he promoted healthier living.
Beyond TV stars, some individuals have used their media presence as an audition for Trump’s team. Tom Homan, Trump’s choice for "border czar," is a regular Fox News contributor. Ohio Sen. JD Vance’s selection as Trump’s running mate was partly due to his strong TV presence.
The trend of using media appearances to secure political roles isn't limited to one party. President Joe Biden, for example, also had media personalities on his transition team, though his appointments were more focused on experienced diplomats and military leaders for key positions.
Trump’s strong connection with Fox News has been well-documented. Although his relationship with the network faced some tension after the 2020 election, when Fox called Arizona for Biden, Trump remains an avid viewer. The network continues to serve as a window into conservative viewpoints and a direct line to Republican lawmakers who often address Trump’s audience.
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