Trump Appoints Friends to Lead Transition Team

Former President Donald J. Trump has appointed Linda McMahon and Howard Lutnick to lead his transition team as he prepares for a potential return to the White House. This move comes at a time when Trump's lead in polls has diminished following President Biden's withdrawal from the race and Vice President Kamala Harris's emergence as the Democratic nominee. Notably, both McMahon and Lutnick are not affiliated with Project 2025, a conservative initiative aimed at developing policy and personnel plans for a future Republican administration. The transition team will focus on identifying and vetting potential political appointees, as well as drafting executive orders to implement Trump's policy proposals, which include stringent immigration reforms and increased tariffs on imports. The timing of this announcement is significant, as it typically occurs months before presidential campaigns begin their contingency planning for a potential victory. Trump's decision to distance himself from Project 2025, despite his connections to its leaders, reflects a strategic shift in response to Democratic critiques of the initiative's more extreme proposals. In a statement, Trump expressed confidence in the readiness of his administration to govern effectively from day one, emphasizing the importance of a well-prepared transition. Funding for the transition will not come from federal resources but will instead be sourced through a tax-exempt group established by Trump's campaign, indicating a self-sustained approach to the transition process.