Former President Donald Trump, who is in the throes of a tight campaign, has not engaged in formal conversations about a potential Cabinet. But that hasn’t stopped him from spitballing potential contenders during his frequent plane rides to campaign events, or when he is impressed by one of his allies on television.
“He would be great at this,” or “She would be great at that,” Trump has said on recent occasions while watching surrogates on television, according to a person with knowledge of his comments who was granted anonymity to speak freely. And like with his monthslong search for a running mate, the TV circuit has become an important venue for the aggressive jockeying underway by allies eager to secure a Cabinet job. Some candidates for the Cabinet have even hired their own public relations teams.
Trump’s potential second-term picks will likely have to get through tight Senate margins, even if Republicans take back the majority. His first Cabinet was confirmed at a slow pace, due to Democrats slow-walking the process, only to see high turnover in those top jobs during his four years in office.
Despite all the chatter, the Trump campaign said Trump isn’t touching the issue yet.
“There have been no discussions about who will serve in a second Trump administration,” said his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt. “President Trump is focused on winning the election and when he does, he will then choose the best people to help him make America great again.”
This is POLITICO’s snapshot of the leading contenders for Trump’s top jobs.