The Pentagon failed its seventh consecutive audit on Friday as the agency was unable to fully account for its massive $824 billion budget, though officials were confident the Department of Defense ‘has turned a corner’ in understanding its budgetary challenges going forward.

The audits resulted in a disclaimer of opinion, which means auditors were provided with insufficient information to form an accurate opinion of the accounts.

Of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) 28 reporting entities that had standalone audits, 9 received an unmodified audit opinion, 1 received a qualified opinion, 15 received disclaimers, and 3 opinions remain pending, the Pentagon said.

But with the goal of achieving a clean audit by 2028, Michael McCord, Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and Chief Financial Officer, said the agency ‘has turned a corner in its understanding of the depth and breadth of its challenges.’ 

‘Momentum is on our side, and throughout the Department there is strong commitment—and belief in our ability—to achieve an unmodified audit opinion,’ he said in a statement.

The objective of earning an unmodified audit opinion is mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act.

McCord told reporters at a briefing on Friday that he would not say that the agency ‘failed’ as it had ‘about half clean opinions.’

‘So if someone had a report card that is half good and half not good, I don’t know that you call the student or the report card a failure,’ he said.

Independent public accountants and the DoD Office of Inspector General closely examined the financial statements for the audit.

McCord emphasized in a statement that the path to a clean audit is clear.

‘Significant work remains and challenges lie ahead, but our annual audit continues to be a catalyst for Department-wide financial management reform, resulting in greater financial integrity, transparency, and better-supported warfighters,’ he said.

Today, we celebrate the strength of our democracy. In record numbers, Americans from every corner of this country cast their ballots, showing up and making their voices heard. This turnout reaffirms a commitment to our democratic ideals that we can all be proud of. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the poll workers who worked tirelessly to ensure this election was safe, fair, and accessible. They exemplify the spirit of service that sustains our democracy.

I also extend my congratulations to President Trump on his victory. He is our President, and I am committed to supporting him in moving this country forward. Vice President Kamala Harris deserves our appreciation as well, having delivered her concession speech this afternoon with dignity. The peaceful transfer of power remains the cornerstone of our democracy, and her commitment to that tradition deserves our respect and admiration.

As we reflect on this election, one lesson stands out clearly: The candidate who appeals to the sensible majority of Americans – the center – wins. Yes, the more extreme voices on both sides of the aisle turned out for their candidates. But neither side alone could carry this election. It is the sensible majority of our nation that made the difference.

It is also true that candidates who campaign to the moderate middle but govern to their base live to regret their decision. This was true of both President Trump in 2016 and President Biden in 2020. Each used their first term to cater to the extremes of their party. And in each case, the voters punished them in the next election.

In this 2024 election, Trump was again the candidate better able to connect with the concerns of the sensible majority – prioritizing the economy, securing our borders, and responding to the core needs of working Americans. I urge President Trump and my Republican colleagues in Congress to remember who put them in office.

Let me be clear: This victory was not a triumph for extremism and it is a rejection of the narrative that our country is so paralyzed by polarization as to be unable to find common ground. The truth is that a strong, sensible middle remains in America, seeking leaders who will deliver real, practical solutions to their everyday concerns. Year after year, this middle calls for change – not for the sake of change alone, but because they’ve been disappointed by too many empty promises from leaders who, once elected, ignore the center and lean into partisanship.

If any leader or party wants to build a durable majority in America, they must deliver for the sensible majority. They must prioritize policies with broad appeal, ones that answer the needs of hardworking families. This is what governing for the middle looks like, and it’s essential if we hope to restore trust in our institutions.

It is equally essential that we protect and preserve the checks and balances that sustain our democracy. In a time of heightened partisanship, how we make our laws matters just as much as what laws we pass. For example, the 60-vote threshold in the Senate – the filibuster – requires both parties to work together and keeps one side from imposing sweeping changes every time power shifts. Making America great requires consensus and common sense. It cannot, and should not, be a party-line vote.

Now that the election is behind us, I invite all Americans to join me in setting partisanship aside and focusing on the path toward renewed prosperity. The demonization of our fellow citizens must end. I hope we can find ways to come together, to create the necessary compromises that will restore prosperity, protect our security in a volatile world, and leave a better country for our children and grandchildren.

I wish President Trump success in this endeavor because, at the end of the day, when our president succeeds, our country succeeds. Healing and unity won’t be easy, but they are essential if we are to address the pressing issues facing American families today.

History has shown us time and again that Americans are tough and resilient. We have faced down the Civil War, endured the heartbreak of losing leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and U.S. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and emerged stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic. Each time, we overcame because our democracy—and our people—are rooted in shared values and strength.

This moment calls us to renew our commitment to one another and to the ideals that define us as a nation. We can, and we must, move forward together. With unity, purpose, and respect, there is no challenge we cannot meet.

The former White House coronavirus response coordinator on Sunday said she is looking forward to the Senate confirmation hearing of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who President-elect Trump tapped for his secretary of Health and Human Services, as a unique opportunity to have a transparent discussion on the health of Americans.

Dr. Deborah Birx, who served in Trump’s first administration, appeared on CBS’ ‘Face the Nation,’ where she was asked at length about Kennedy potentially leading the agency. and his views on health issues such as vaccines.

‘That’s why when he talks about transparency, I’m actually excited that in a Senate hearing he would bring forward his data and the questions that come from the senators would bring forth their data,’ Birx said of Kennedy. ‘What I know for sure is he’s a very smart man who can bring his data and his evidence base forward.’ 

When Birx was asked about Kennedy’s past controversial comments on vaccines, she said he has raised concerns about issues that ‘many Americans believe already is a problem.’

‘Every mom is seeing a classroom of kindergartners where one of the children has autism,’ she said. ‘That’s scary to moms and dads. They want to know why. So it’s not good enough for us to just say vaccines don’t cause autism. It’s us finding what is the cause of autism.’

Birx, who served under Trump from 2020 to 2021, said a Senate confirmation hearing would be a great forum to see data from both sides of the argument.

‘That hearing would be a way for Americans to really see the data that you’re talking about that we can’t see that causation right now, but what is causing it?’ Birx said, adding that addressing the cause of autism in children will be ‘critical.’

Birx said the White House’s messaging surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine did not help matters.

‘I think what has confused people is we weren’t clear about what COVID vaccines do and don’t,’ she said. ‘And so now people are questioning, well, what are my childhood vaccines do and don’t. And they don’t understand that some of the vaccines that their children are getting protect them from both disease and create herd immunity. And some of them that they get are just for their child, like H Flu and pneumovax to prevent their child from getting very serious illness.’

‘And we’re just not explaining all of this correctly,’ she added of vaccines and what they do.

As for Kennedy’s potential appointment, Birx said there’s one important thing Kennedy can do to help him achieve success.

‘I think the most important thing is what team he would bring with them, because you’re talking about really a large cap corporation with a highly diverse group, which you have to really bring together and, frankly, eliminate some of the duplications between these agencies to really become more cost-effective.’

Since winning the election last week, President-elect Donald Trump has begun evaluating and rolling out his picks for his Cabinet and other top roles. 

Here’s a roundup of whom Trump has picked to fill top jobs in his administration: 

Publicly announced

White House Chief of Staff – Susie Wiles
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations – Elise Stefanik
National Security Adviser – Michael Waltz 
‘Border Czar’ – Tom Homan 
Ambassador to Israel – Mike Huckabee 
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator – Lee Zeldin 
Middle East Envoy – Steven Witkoff
White House Counsel – William McGinley
CIA Director – John Ratcliffe
Department of Government Efficiency – Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy 
Secretary of Defense – Pete Hegseth  
Homeland Security Secretary – Kristi Noem
Deputy Chief of Staff – Dan Scavino
Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor – Stephen Miller
Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Political and Public Affairs – James Blair
Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Personnel – Taylor Budowich
Director of National Intelligence – Tulsi Gabbard
Secretary of State – Marco Rubio
U.S. Attorney General – Matt Gaetz
Secretary of Health and Human Services – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
U.S. Attorney for Southern District of New York – Jay Clayton
Secretary of Veterans Affairs – Doug Collins
U.S Solicitor General – Dean John Sauer
Deputy Attorney General – Todd Blanche
Secretary of the Interior – Doug Burgum
Communications Director – Steven Cheung
Director of Presidential Personnel – Sergio Gor
Press Secretary – Karoline Leavitt
Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary – William Owen Scharf
Secretary of Energy – Chris Wright
 

White House Chief of Staff – Susie Wiles

Wiles has been widely lauded for heading Trump’s successful campaign this year, having run Trump’s campaign operations in Florida in 2016 and 2020. She maintained close ties with the president-elect throughout the Biden administration and signed on as CEO of Trump’s Save America PAC in 2021. 

‘Susie is tough, smart, innovative and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud,’ Trump said in a statement. 

US Ambassador to the United Nations – Elise Stefanik

Elise Stefanik, the New York Republican representative and current House GOP Conference Chair has been an attack dog for Trump in Congress. 

She is a staunch supporter of Israel, having made headlines for her combative lines of questioning of Ivy League university presidents over their handling of anti-Israel protests, some of which prompted the presidents to resign.

National Security Adviser – Michael Waltz 

On Tuesday, Trump announced the Florida Republican representative and former Army Green Beret would be his national security adviser. He’s decidedly a hawk on China and Iran. 

‘Mike retired as a Colonel, and is a nationally recognized leader in National Security, a bestselling author, and an expert on the threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorism,’ Trump said in a statement. 

‘Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda, and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!’

‘Border Czar’ – Tom Homan 

Homan, the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was an architect of Trump’s zero-tolerance policy during his first administration, one that led to backlash from family separations at the border. 

Homan has served under six administrations and presidents in both parties, dating back to the Reagan era, as a rank-and-file Border Patrol agent. He was appointed to the position of executive associate director of enforcement and removal operations for ICE under President Obama.

While serving at a ‘czar’ level rather than in an official Cabinet position, Homan will be in charge of ‘the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security,’ Trump announced on Truth Social. 

‘I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders,’ Trump wrote. ‘Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin. Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job.’

Ambassador to Israel – Mike Huckabee 

Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, is a staunch supporter of Israel, prompted by his evangelical faith. 

‘Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him’, a statement attached to Trump’s Truth Social post said. ‘Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!’

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator – Lee Zeldin 

Zeldin, a former House Republican from New York, had a notably strong, but unsuccessful, showing in the race for governor against Kathy Hochul in 2022. 

During that race, he called for New York to lift its ban on fracking. He also lost his House race for re-election in 2022 but has maintained ties with the Trump team.

Middle East Envoy – Steven Witkoff

Witkoff, a real estate investor, landlord, and the founder of the Witkoff Group, was tapped as Trump’s Middle East enjoy. He campaign with Trump during the campaign.

In his announcement, Trump said that Witkoff would be an ‘unrelenting Voice for PEACE’ in the highly-contentious region.

White House Counsel – William McGinley

McGinley, who served in Trump’s first presidential term as White House cabinet secretary, returns to the White House for Trump’s second term. The White House Counsel conducts key behind-the-scene research into potential Supreme Court nominees.

CIA Director – John Ratcliffe

Ratcliffe previously served under Trump during his first term as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). He will head the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). 

In 2020, he was awarded the National Security Medal, the nation’s highest honor for distinguished achievement in the field of intelligence and national security. 

Department of Government Efficiency – Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy 

Billionaire Elon Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy were tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

Trump said that the pair will work together to ‘dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.’

‘It will become, potentially, ‘The Manhattan Project’ of our time,’ the announcement on Tuesday evening said. ‘Republican politicians have dreamed about the objectives of ‘DOGE’ for a very long time.’

Secretary of Defense – Pete Hegseth  

Trump nominated Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense. He would need to be confirmed by the Senate to assume the position. Hegseth has long championed a strong military and veterans causes. 

He served in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army infantry officer, being awarded two Bronze Stars and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Hegseth was a host on ‘FOX & Friends Weekend’ and FOX Nation until his last day on Tuesday. 

‘Nobody fights harder for the Troops, and Pete will be a courageous and patriotic champion of our ‘Peace through Strength’ policy,’ Trump said. 

Homeland Security Secretary – Kristi Noem

Trump announced on Tuesday that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is his pick for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Noem would need to be approved by the Senate to assume the position.

DHS oversees U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  

‘She was the first Governor to send National Guard Soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden Border Crisis, and they were sent a total of eight times,’ the Trump transition team said in a statement on Tuesday. ‘She will work closely with ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan to secure the Border, and will guarantee that our American Homeland is secure from our adversaries.’

Deputy Chief of Staff – Dan Scavino

Trump announced that his longtime aide Dan Scavino Jr. will return to the White House as an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff. 

‘Scavino was a Trump Campaign Senior Advisor and remains one of President Trump’s longest serving and most trusted aides,’ the Trump transition team said. 

Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor – Stephen Miller

Trump announced Stephen Miller would serve as deputy chief of staff for policy in his administration. Miller was a senior adviser in Trump’s first term. He helped craft many of Trump’s hard-line speeches and plans on immigration. 

Since Trump left office, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization of former Trump advisers fashioned as a conservative version of the American Civil Liberties Union, challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as freedom of speech and religion and national security.

Miller has advocated for mass deportations during the second Trump term. 

Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Political and Public Affairs – James Blair

Trump announced James Blair would serve in the White House as an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs. 

‘Blair was the Trump Campaign and Republican National Committee Political Director, managing hundreds of staff and overseeing a wide portfolio of political operations and programs,’ the Trump transition team said. 

Blair was in charge of the Trump campaign’s get-out-the-vote operations in key battleground states, which Trump swept on Election Day. 

Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Personnel – Taylor Budowich

Trump announced that Taylor Budowich will join him in the White House as an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel. 

‘Prior to joining the Trump Campaign, Budowich served in a senior role in President Trump’s Leadership PAC, Save America, and as CEO of the pro-Trump Super PAC, MAGA Inc.,’ the Trump transition team said. 

‘Dan, Stephen, James, and Taylor were ‘best in class’ advisors on my winning campaign, and I know they will honorably serve the American people in the White House,’ Trump said in a statement announcing his senior campaign aides would be promoted to the White House. ‘They will continue to work hard to Make America Great Again in their respective new roles.’

Director of National Intelligence – Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, is Trump’s pick for the position of director of national intelligence. The announcement was made on Wednesday.

The cabinet-level position involves overseeing the intelligence community and advising Trump and the National Security Council on intelligence matters. Gabbard is an Iraq War veteran and a U.S. Army reservist.

‘As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties – She is now a proud Republican!’ Trump said in a statement. ‘I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!’

Secretary of State – Marco Rubio

President-elect Donald Trump nominated Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to serve as his Secretary of State. 

‘It is my Great Honor to announce that Senator Marco Rubio, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The United States Secretary of State. Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom,’ Trump said in a statement. ‘He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries.’

Rubio is known as an Iran and China hawk. He is a top GOP member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and ran for president in 2016.

U.S. Attorney General – Matt Gaetz

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., is Trump’s pick for attorney general. The decision was made in an announcement on Wednesday.

If confirmed, Gaetz will oversee the Department of Justice after Trump’s inauguration in January.

‘Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice,’ the president-elect said in Truth Social post. ‘Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System.’  

‘He is a Champion for the Constitution and the Rule of Law,’ the post concluded.

Deputy Attorney General – Todd Blanche

Trump named his personal criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general. The president-elect said that the 50-year-old lawyer has experience prosecuting gangs – as well as representing Trump in his 2024 criminal trial in New York.

‘I am pleased to announce that Todd Blanche will serve as Deputy Attorney General in my Administration. Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long,’ Trump announced in a news release.

Secretary of Health and Human Services – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Trump announced he will tap former 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

‘I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health,’ Trump said in his announcement Thursday. 

‘The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!’ Trump added.

Kennedy dropped out of the presidential race in August and quickly endorsed the Trump-Vance ticket, and has since repeatedly vowed to ‘Make America Healthy Again.’

U.S. Attorney for Southern District of New York – Jay Clayton

President-elect Trump announced Thursday that he is nominating Jay Clayton to serve as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

‘I am pleased to announce that Jay Clayton, of New York, the Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission during my first term, where he did an incredible job, is hereby nominated to be the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York,’ Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. ‘Jay is a highly respected business leader, counsel, and public servant.

‘Jay is going to be a strong Fighter for the Truth as we, Make America Great Again,’ the president-elect added.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs – Doug Collins

President-elect Trump announced on Thursday his intent to nominate former Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., to serve as secretary of veterans affairs.

‘Doug is a Veteran himself, who currently serves our Nation as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command, and fought for our Country in the Iraq War,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social. ‘We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need.

‘Thank you, Doug, for your willingness to serve our country in this very important role,’ the president-elect added.

U.S. Solicitor General – Dean John Sauer

Trump announced Dean John Sauer as his pick for U.S. solicitor general.

‘John is a deeply accomplished, masterful appellate attorney, who clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia in the United States Supreme Court, served as Solicitor General of Missouri for six years, and has extensive experience practicing before the U.S. Supreme Court and other Appellate Courts,’ Trump said in the announcement.

Sauer served as solicitor general of Missouri from 2017 to 2023, and represented Trump in his successful appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in Trump v. United States.

Secretary of the Interior – Doug Burgum

President-elect Trump announced that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum will lead the Department of the Interior during a speech at the Americans for Prosperity Gala at Mar-a-Lago.

‘He’s going to be announced [Friday]…I look forward to doing the formal announcement, although this is a pretty big announcement right now, actually,’ Trump said. ‘He’s going to head the Department of Interior, and he’s going to be fantastic.’

Burgum, a multi-millionaire former software company CEO turned two-term governor, launched a White House bid in June 2023. The governor made energy and natural resources a key part of his campaign for the GOP nomination.

After he dropped out of the race, Burgum became a high profile surrogate for the former president, appearing on the campaign trail and in media hits on Trump’s behalf. He was in consideration as Trump’s running mate this past summer before Sen. JD Vance of Ohio was picked as the Republican Party’s vice presidential nominee.

Communications Director – Steven Cheung

Trump announced Friday, Nov. 15, that Steven Cheung would return to the White House as assistant to the president and director of communications. Cheung previously served as communications director for the Trump-Vance campaign and was the White House director of strategic response in Trump’s first term.

Director of Presidential Personnel – Sergio Gor

Trump also confirmed Friday that Sergio Gor will join the White House as director of the presidential personnel office. Gor, an ally and business partner of Donald Trump Jr.’s, was in charge of the pro-Trump political action committee Right For America and previously worked in Republican Sen. Rand Paul’s office. 

‘Steven Cheung and Sergio Gor have been trusted Advisors since my first Presidential Campaign in 2016, and have continued to champion America First principles throughout my First Term, all the way to our HIstoric Victory in 2024,’ Trump said in a statement. ‘I am thrilled to have them join my White House, as we Make America Great Again!’ 

Press Secretary – Karoline Leavitt 

Trump announced campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt will serve as White House press secretary for his upcoming administration. 

‘Karoline Leavitt did a phenomenal job as the National Press Secretary on my Historic Campaign, and I am pleased to announce she will serve as White House Press Secretary,’ Trump said in a statement Friday evening. 

‘Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator. I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People as we, Make America Great Again.’

Leavitt, 27, will be the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history, unseating Nixon administration press secretary Ron Ziegler, who was 29 when he served in the role from 1969-1974.

Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary – William Owen Scharf

William Owen Scharf, one of Trump’s lawyers, will serve as Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary starting in January.

In a statement on Saturday, the President-elect wrote that Scharf ‘is a highly skilled attorney who will be a crucial part of my White House team.’

‘[Scharf] has played a key role in defeating the Election Interference and Lawfare waged against me, including by winning the Historic Immunity Decision in the Supreme Court,’ Trump’s statement read.

Secretary of Energy – Chris Wright

Chris Wright, the CEO and founder of Liberty Energy, has been picked to lead the Department of Energy, according to a statement President-elect Trump released on Saturday.

‘I am thrilled to announce that Chris Wright will be joining my Administration as both United States Secretary of Energy, and Member of the newly formed Council of National Energy,’ Trump’s statement read, adding that Wright ‘has been a leading technologist and entrepreneur in Energy.’

Wright graduated from MIT with a degree in mechanical engineering, according to Liberty Energy’s website. He also completed graduate work in electrical engineering at University of California, Berkeley and MIT.

‘[Wright] is a self-described tech nerd turned entrepreneur and a dedicated humanitarian on a mission to better human lives by expanding access to abundant, affordable, and reliable energy,’ the company’s website reads.

President-elect Trump announced on Sunday that he has picked Brendan Carr to serve as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) starting in January.

Carr, who is currently the senior Republican member of the FCC, was first nominated to the commission by Trump in 2017. In a statement released on Sunday night, Trump commended Carr and noted that he had ‘been confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate three times.’

‘His current term runs through 2029 and, because of his great work, I will now be designating him as permanent Chairman,’ Trump wrote.

The Republican leader went on to call Carr ‘a warrior for Free Speech’ who has ‘fought against the regulatory Lawfare that has stifled Americans’ Freedoms, and held back our Economy.’

‘He will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America,’ Trump added.

‘Congratulations to Chairman Brendan Carr on a job well done,’ the president-elect’s statement concluded. ‘Lead us into a great future, Brendan!’

In an X post on Sunday, Carr thanked Trump and wrote that he is ‘humbled and honored to serve as Chairman of the FCC.’

Carr recently made national headlines after he ripped the ‘Saturday Night Live’ cast for platforming Kamala Harris as a guest without inviting Trump, which violates FCC rules.

‘NBC has structured this in a way that’s plainly designed to evade the FCC’s rules,’ the official said shortly after the episode aired. ‘We’re talking 50 hours before Election Day starts, without any notice to other candidates, as far as I can tell.’

Carr later told Fox News Digital that the Harris appearance ‘[made] clear that [‘SNL’] wanted to weigh-in in favor of one candidate before the election.’

‘That’s exactly why, for decades, we’ve had an equal time rule on the book, is to prevent that,’ the Republican explained. ‘Because remember, broadcasters are placed in a special position of trust. They’re not just like any other person with a soapbox on the corner. They have a license from the federal government that obligates them to operate in the public interest.’

Earlier in November, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) urged Trump to appoint Carr as the next FCC chairman, calling him a ‘great partner to the men and women in law enforcement.’

‘Commissioner Carr has more than 20 years of private and public sector expertise in communications and technology policy as well as a deep institutional knowledge of the FCC,’ Patrick Yoes, national president of the FOP, wrote in a letter. ‘He would make an outstanding FCC Chairman who will ensure the United States continues to lead the world in telecommunications advancements and innovations.’

Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton and Eric Revell contributed to this report.

A new report revealed Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign paid more than double what was previously reported for the Oprah Winfrey town hall event.

FEC filings, first reported by the Washington Examiner, show the Harris campaign made two $500,000 payments to Winfrey’s Harpo Productions on Oct. 15, a month after Winfrey’s town hall with Harris and weeks before the pair appeared at a Harris Philadelphia rally. Now, two sources have told The New York Times the full price of the event with Winfrey was closer to $2.5 million.

Harris’ campaign spent $1.5 billion, or $100 million per week during her 15-week presidential run, according to the Times. Democrat donors say they are still being bombarded with requests, and the Democratic Party is reportedly $20 million in debt from the failed campaign. 

Some of the reported spending included nearly $9,000 in ice cream from high-end shops like Sweet Lucy’s Ice Cream and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.

Harris’ campaign reportedly used almost $15,000 on food delivery services such as Uber Eats and DoorDash from July through the end of the race in early November, the Times reported.

During a two-week period in October, Harris’ campaign reportedly spent $2.6 million on travel aboard private jets. 

The campaign also spent $900,000 to reserve ad space on Las Vegas’ Sphere in the final week of the election, although she still lost Nevada by three points.

The bulk of the extravagant spending reportedly went to celebrity appearances and performances and influencer partnerships meant to boost campaign events. 

Winfrey, a billionaire, insisted she was ‘paid nothing’ when confronted by TMZ.

A Harpo Productions spokesperson acknowledged to Variety that the company took money from the campaign but claimed it was for ‘production costs.’

‘Oprah Winfrey was at no point during the campaign paid a personal fee, nor did she receive a fee from Harpo,’ the spokesperson said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Harris campaign for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Fox News Digital’s Jeffrey Clark contributed to this report. 

Stepheny Price is writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com

Ben Carson broke his silence around rumors of him joining the second Trump administration as the U.S. surgeon general on Sunday, but noted that he plans to speak with President-elect Donald Trump soon.

Carson, who served as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from 2017 to 2021 during the first Trump administration, dispelled the false reports in an X post on Sunday.

‘I am excited to speak with President Trump about how I will continue to advance the America First agenda, and I am meeting with him in the near future,’ the retired neurosurgeon wrote. 

‘However, contrary to reports, I will not be serving as the Surgeon General.’

Carson has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration and a staunch supporter of Trump. After the Republican leader won the Nov. 5 election in a landslide victory, Carson shared his congratulations. 

‘Congratulations to my good friend and the next President of the United States, @realdonaldtrump!!’ Carson’s post reads. ‘As I said earlier today, God is not done with our country. Let’s get to work.’

The U.S. surgeon general is not a Cabinet-level position but is still a high-ranking role that serves as the head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. The position is within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

‘The U.S. Surgeon General is the Nation’s Doctor, providing Americans with the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury,’ the HHS’s website explains. ‘The Surgeon General oversees the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, an elite group of over 6,000 uniformed officers who are public health professionals.’

Carson’s comments come as several positions in Trump’s incoming Cabinet are still up for grabs, including secretary of transportation, secretary of commerce and secretary of the treasury.

Trump also has yet to announce his picks for HUD secretary, secretary of agriculture and secretary of education.

Trump most recently announced on Saturday that Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright will join his Cabinet as secretary of energy. He called Wright ‘a leading technologist and entrepreneur in energy.’