Presenter team grows

Trump gives TV doctor Oz important health post

Mehmet Oz also supported Donald Trump during the election campaign. He is very popular with many Americans and his advice is valued. But the 64-year-old is also polarizing.

(Bild: AFP)

He is considered controversial and has been criticized for his views on alternative medicine and paranormal abilities, among other things. During the coronavirus pandemic, he recommended untested treatment methods on television - and thus attracted the attention of Donald Trump. Now the TV doctor Mehmet Oz is to join his government team. Trump's other nominations are also surprising.

The presenter of the "Dr. Oz Show" is to become head of Medicare and Medicaid, announced US President-elect Trump (78). These two healthcare systems provide more than 100 million Americans with medical services.

Medicare is responsible for medical care for people over the age of 65 and covers at least part of the costs of treatment and medication for people on low incomes.

Mehmet Oz with his wife Lisa

(Bild: Getty Images via AFP)

(Bild: AFP)

Oz has campaigned for more private benefits in the system in the past. He has 1.96 million followers on YouTube with videos published daily on the topics of health, fitness and nutrition, but is also not above giving financial and relationship tips. As host of the "Dr. Oz Show", he has often polarized viewers, recommending the use of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine during the coronavirus pandemic, for example. Before his TV career, he made a name for himself as a heart surgeon and professor at Columbia University.

Senate seat missed
Oz was supposed to win a Senate seat for the Republicans in the state of Pennsylvania in 2022. He was also supported by Trump during the election campaign, but clearly lost.

Wall Street financier to become Secretary of Commerce
With Pete Hegseth as the candidate for Secretary of Defense and Sean Duffy, who is to become Secretary of Transportation, Trump has already nominated two Fox News presenters for his administration. The Republican has also surprised with two further nominations. Howard Lutnick, one of Trump's most important supporters on Wall Street, is to be the next US Secretary of Commerce. He runs the New York financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald and is currently co-head of the team preparing for Trump's inauguration in the White House on January 20.

Howard Lutnick

(Bild: APA/AP)

According to media reports, Lutnick unsuccessfully sought the post of US Secretary of the Treasury. He and Scott Bessent, also a financial manager, had been courting Trump for the post in recent days. Lutnick is said to have won over tech billionaire Elon Musk, among others, who supported Trump during the election campaign and has spent a lot of time with him since the election. Instead of his preferred position, Lutnick is now to take over the leadership of the trade department.

Ex-wrestling boss takes over department that Trump wanted to abolish
According to the press, Linda McMahon, who was head of an agency responsible for small businesses in Trump's first administration, would actually have wanted this post. Now, as Secretary of Education, the 76-year-old is to make America "number one in education in the world", as the future president wrote.Trump had caused a stir during the election campaign by announcing that he wanted to abolish the Department of Education.

Linda McMahon is to make America "number one in education in the world".

(Bild: APA/AFP/ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS)

The majority of McMahon's professional career has been away from education. Together with her husband Vince McMahon, she made the wrestling league WWE big. She was also head of the WWE for a time, but then went into politics in 2009 and tried unsuccessfully to be elected to the US Senate, among other things.Trump has supported her for years.