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Foreign leaders, Hollywood stars and US political heavyweights mingled with new and rumored Cabinet picks in President-elect Donald Trump’s second administration at a black-tie Mar-a-Lago gala on Thursday night.
The star-studded group held court nine days after Trump’s electoral blowout of Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, basking in the glow of the Republican victory while looking for a chance to gain the ear of the soon-to-be 47th president.
While the gathering was a business occasion for some, the resort also welcomed MAGA faithful from far and wide to meet and greet their favorite stars and starlets of the movement — including Kellyanne Conway, the architect of Trump’s upset electoral victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016.
The 57-year-old Conway became so swept up at one point that she put her hand over her heart while taking in the glitzy scene.
Trump, 78, also got caught up in the good feeling, dancing for the crowd and even announcing a new administration selection from the stage during his remarks at the America First Policy Institute event: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
“He’s going to head the Department of Interior, and he’s going to be fantastic,” the president-elect said. “We’re going to do things with energy and with land, interior, that are going to be incredible.”
The sumptuous affair stretched late into the night as attendees warmly greeted the cabinet nominees, pausing to snap selfies and ingratiate themselves in the Grand Ballroom at the West Palm Beach, Fla., resort.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) and one of his predecessors, Newt Gingrich — who has become a close confidante — both flew down for the occasion with their wives.
Gingrich was pulled aside at one point to speak with Robert Lighthizer, a rumored pick to be the next US trade representative who already filled the same role during Trump’s first term.
Meanwhile, Argentinian President Javier Milei stood shoulder to shoulder with self-proclaimed “Dark MAGA” leader and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) co-chief, and Trump, who smiled and gave a big thumbs-up to the pair.
Buenos Aires Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein and Secretary General of the Presidency Karina Milei — Javier’s sister — were also standing by.
Milei was one of the lucky few to pull Trump aside for a private chat. The two have embraced each other warmly in personal meetings since the Argentinian upstart was elected in November 2023.
“Make Argentina Great Again,” Trump joked during his speech of his South American counterpart. “He’s a MAGA person.”
Musk has been inseparable from the former president during the nomination process — only briefly returning to his native Texas.
“What a job he does, and he happens to be a really good guy,” Trump said of the South Africa-born Musk during his remarks. “He likes this place. I can’t get him out of here. He just likes this place. And you know what? I like having him here too.”
The billionaire was later seen huddling with WWE founder Linda McMahon, who served as small business administrator during Trump’s first term and has also been instrumental in vetting his second round of nominees.
Musk’s DOGE co-chief Vivek Ramaswamy was also spotted brushing elbows with former NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom — both of whom have been outspoken about US actions that have emboldened an increasingly hostile Chinese Communist Party.
Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Director of National Intelligence-designate Tulsi Gabbard also beamed in a photo just days after Trump tapped them to join his next administration.
Both were seated at a table with RFK Jr., his actress wife Cheryl Hines, and his campaign manager and daughter-in-law Amaryllis Fox.
Hines was all smiles when entering with her husband — despite his salacious recent affair with ex-New York magazine scribe Olivia Nuzzi.
The Kennedy scion briefly conversed with Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz, and his wife, Ginger, who married in August 2021.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump Jr. — two huge backers of Kennedy and Gabbard for administrative posts — posed for a group picture in one corner of the room.
“Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone made a surprise appearance and took Trump’s right hand in both of his when paying homage to him on the main stage.
“We’re in the presence of a really mythical character,” Stallone told the crowd, likening Trump to a “second George Washington.”
“Nobody in the world could have pulled off what he pulled off, so I’m in awe,” the “Rambo: First Blood” star said.
Of the 15 traditional Cabinet positions, Trump has already selected six, with South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem chosen as the next Homeland Security secretary, Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio tapped as the next secretary of state and Fox News personality Pete Hegseth heading up the Defense Department.
He has reportedly narrowed his shortlist for the next treasury secretary down to Scott Bessent, the founder of investment advisory firm Key Square Group, and Howard Lutnick, his campaign co-chair and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald.
The former reportedly met with Trump on Friday to interview for the position, while the latter was never far from his side over the course of the evening prior.
English (US)