Trump selects Dr. Mehmet Oz to head Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

In a surprising move, President-elect Donald Trump has announced his picks for key roles in his administration. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former TV host and heart surgeon, has been chosen to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, overseeing health insurance programs for millions of Americans. Trump praised Oz’s focus on disease prevention and cutting waste in healthcare spending. Oz, a supporter of Trump, ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022 and has expressed support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Oz has faced criticism in the past for promoting questionable medical treatments.
In another appointment, Wall Street executive Howard Lutnick has been selected as Commerce Secretary, responsible for implementing Trump’s tariff and trade agenda. Lutnick, a cryptocurrency enthusiast, is known for advocating for tariffs to protect American workers. Mainstream economists are skeptical of tariffs, viewing them as an inefficient way to raise money.
Lutnick’s nomination follows calls from billionaire Elon Musk and others to replace the previous front-runner for Treasury Secretary with Lutnick. Lutnick, who has donated to both Democrats and Republicans in the past, has close ties to Trump and has appeared on his reality show, “The Apprentice.” Despite his business background, Lutnick faced criticism for echoing debunked criticisms of vaccines during the campaign.
Overall, Trump’s appointments of Dr. Mehmet Oz and Howard Lutnick signal a focus on healthcare reform and trade policies in the incoming administration. Both appointees bring unique perspectives to their roles, but face scrutiny for their past statements and actions. The appointments come as Trump continues to shape his administration ahead of the inauguration.

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