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As President-elect Trump finalizes his cabinet, it becomes clear that the administration will be one of cronyism, pushing an agenda that benefits the well-off, well-connected, and big corporations. From jeopardizing Social Security and Medicare to putting billionaires in charge of working families’ futures, Trump’s administration looks like a government for the few at the expense of the many.

Six Billionaires in Trump’s Cabinet: President-elect Trump has picked five billionaires for top positions, making it clear his administration is built to serve the wealthy, not working families. The lineup includes Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager for Treasury Secretary; Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency; Howard Lutnick for Commerce Secretary; and Linda McMahon for Education Secretary. These billionaires are joined by other high-net-worth individuals, like Doug Burgum, Chris Wright of Liberty Energy, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., further cementing an administration stacked with corporate elites. These choices send a message: billionaires and corporate insiders are central to Trump’s vision for America. “Donald Trump paid plenty of lip service to working-class Americans, but as President-elect, he’s moved quickly to stack his administration with billionaires that share his vision of a rigged economy that only works for people like them,” said Tony Carrk, Executive Director of Accountable.US.

Dr. Oz as CMS Nominee- A Prescription for Conflicts: President-elect Trump’s nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is raising alarm over significant conflicts of interest. Financial disclosures show Oz holds substantial investments in companies regulated by CMS, including health insurance giants and pharmaceutical firms, casting doubt on his ability to act in the public’s best interest. Just Medicare amounts to over $1 trillion in annual spending, and CMS’s programs serve more than 150 million Americans, critics argue that Oz’s financial entanglements make him unfit to lead the agency. 

The Return of Russ Vought: A Budget Hawk Targets Social Safety Nets: The reappointment of Russ Vought to be director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sends a clear signal: Social Security and Medicare are back on the chopping block. Vought’s record includes proposing $845 billion in Medicare cuts and $25 billion in Social Security cuts during Trump’s first term. Now the architect of Project 2025’s 900+ page policy manifesto, Vought’s return has advocates for seniors and vulnerable Americans on high alert. “With the architect of Project 2025 nominated to lead Trump’s Office of Management and Budget, there can be no distinction between the two. Vought oversaw every budget in the first Trump administration that cut Social Security and Medicare. This much is clear: Social Security and Medicare are at risk in the second Trump presidency,” said Accountable.US Executive Director Tony Carrk. 

Scott Bessent: A Billionaire for Treasury: Scott Bessent, a hedge fund billionaire, is Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary—a choice critics say solidifies the administration’s alignment with the ultra-wealthy. With Bessent at the helm, his policies could cost working families thousands more annually while delivering windfalls to the richest Americans. His nomination reflects an administration that continues to prioritize corporate interests over economic fairness. “For all his talk of looking out for working-class Americans, President-elect Trump’s choice of a billionaire hedge fund manager to lead the Treasury Department shows he just wants to keep a rigged system that only works for big corporations and the very wealthy,” said Acccountable.US Executive Director Tony Carrk. “If confirmed, Scott Bessent’s first order of business will be to push trillions of dollars in more tax giveaways to the very well-off and, at the same time, essentially enact a $3,900 tax increase for the typical American family. This is the same, old playbook, and it will have the same results of an economy that only works for a select few, not everyone.” 

Cronyism Undermines Public Trust: Trump’s nominations of Pam Bondi for Attorney General and Matthew Whitaker for NATO Ambassador further highlight his tendency to reward loyalty over competence. Bondi’s history of shielding Trump from scrutiny—including dropping a fraud case against Trump University after receiving a $25,000 donation—raises doubts about her ability to enforce impartial justice. Whitaker, known for his alignment with Trump’s NATO skepticism, faces criticism over whether he can effectively represent U.S. interests on the global stage. “The same person who refused to join a multistate lawsuit against Trump University after receiving a $25,000 donation from Trump’s foundation is now President-elect Trump’s pick for a position where loyalty to him will take precedence over the rule of law. Throughout her career, Bondi has repeatedly faced allegations of putting political and financial interests above her duty to uphold justice,” said Accountable.US President Caroline Ciccone on Bondi’s appointment. 

What’s Next? As Trump’s transition unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that his administration prioritizes loyalty and industry ties over public accountability. With more nominations expected, the risks to critical programs and democratic institutions remain a growing concern.

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