Get your headshot and resume: Donald Trump is in the process of selecting its second-term Cabinet. But instead of looking for the best and brightest in each specific field—whether it’s homeland security or education—it seems Trump and his team have set their sights on the brightest stars…from his TV screen.
A not insignificant number of Trump’s top picks to lead top agencies have extensive television backgrounds. This is perhaps not surprising; After all, Trump himself became nationally famous after playing the starring role Apprentice. Vice President-elect J.D. VanceAppalachia’s childhood has been fictionalized into one terrible movie. Elon Musk, Co-head of the newly established Department of Government Effectiveness, is stored Saturday night live not too long ago (again, just like Trump). Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s choice to run the Department of Health and Human Services can be found on the outskirts of Hollywood alongside his wife, Curb your enthusiasm performer Cheryl Hines. Another potential Trump appointee is Matt Gaetz for the attorney general. Gaetz frequently appeared on the nightly news over allegations that he paid for sex, including with an underage girl. (No charges have been filed and Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.) He announced on Wednesday that he withdrew from general consideration by counsel.) Trump has now turned to former Florida attorney general and longtime ally Pam Bondi to run the Justice Department.
Even if Gaetz is no longer running, Trump’s remaining Cabinet picks remain puzzling. A nationwide search took him to the far corners of Fox News and reality TV. Potential Trump appointees have appeared on shows including but not limited to Real world, WWE: Raw, And Oprah Winfrey Show. Here are the details on some of the people who may be moving from Hollywood to Washington in 2025.
Sean Duffy: Minister of Transport
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Sean Duffy, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Transportation, is said to be the potential Cabinet member with the most realistic reality TV people besides the president-elect himself. These days, you can find the former Republican congressman from Wisconsin co-hosting Bottom line on Fox Business, but his TV credentials go much further than that. In 1997, Duffy is an above actor Real world: Bostonthe sixth season of MTV’s iconic reality television show. As an actor, Duffy was often at odds with his black female housemates, Kameelah Phillips, Who is he? compared to Hitler and accused of reverse racism. (For what it’s worth, Phillips is now an obstetrician-gynecologist Who is supported Kamala Harris.)
“She wants that racism now, that same mentality of Black people against white people in 1997,” Duffy said at the time on camera. “That’s what Hitler thought.”
But wait, there’s more! As often happens with buzzy Real world contestant, Duffy continued her reality TV journey the following year on Road rules: All stars, The first season of MTV’s road trip series that eventually turned into a competition series Challenge. ABOVE Road rules: All stars, Duffy met Real world: San Francisco alum Rachel Campos (more on her later), whom he would eventually marry and have nine children with. Before they get rid of those kids, Duffy will return to reality TV, appearing as a contestant on Road Rules/Real World Challenge: Battle of the Seasons in 2002 and won outright with his partner, Elka Walker.
