Trump gives first post-election speech at gala, celebrates Cabinet picks

Delivering his first public speech since winning the 2024 election, President-elect Donald Trump touted his victory and praised his allies at the America First Policy Institute Gala in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

Calling it the “most influential election” of this year, Trump recalled how he lost the popular vote in 2016 but won this time.

“They would say: ‘he didn’t win the popular vote’. And we’ve won the popular vote by records now that nobody can say that about us anymore,” Trump said.

He also celebrated his newly elected cabinet members and senior administration officials, many of whom attended.

The annual gala was attended by the newly elected on Thursday evening, including Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.

Notably, Trump did not give a shout-out to former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who did announced as his attorney general and who also attended.

As he gave pleasantries to several members of the room, Trump praised Musk, with whom he has spent much time since his victory.

“We have a man with a very high IQ. You know, I’m a person who believes in high IQs, and his is as high as they get,” Trump said, thanking him for campaigning on his behalf in Pennsylvania.

Trump then tapped Ramasamy and Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency.

“They’re going to save a lot of money and make our country stronger and better. And they’re going to come out with individual reports. But big toward the end. And if those two come together, it’s going to be really great. So we look forward to seeing and working with Elon and it’s going to be a great experience.” is,” Trump said.

Trump briefly mentioned RFK Jr.’s selection Secretary of Health and Human Services.

“He wants to make people healthy. He’s been pretty wild over the last few years,” Trump said, describing the position in a roundabout way: “And I appointed him today, I think, if you like health, and if you like people who live a long time, it’s the most important position.” .

However, he added a caveat: “I just looked at the news. People like you, Bobby. Don’t make yourself too popular, Bobby.”

At the end of his remarks, Trump said he would nominate Burgum as Secretary of the Interior. A formal announcement is due on Friday, and Trump has teased that he will nominate the Energy Secretary then as well.

“Hey, Doug. It’s going to be announced tomorrow. And we’ve got somebody else who’s probably going to announce it with him, which is great. And we’re going to do things with energy and with the ground. That’s happening. I hope it’s going to be incredible and so I’m going to make a formal announcement,” he said. Trump said.

Trump also joked that the official start date of his term should be set for November 6, and said that the economy is doing better since his victory.

“You have to start my term on November 5th, okay? Or November 6th if you want… November 5th because the market has gone through the roof. The excitement has doubled. It’s doubled in the last short period of time,” Trump said.

Notably, the president-elect decided to give his first public speech since winning at an America First Policy Institute event, outlining the organization’s role in Trump’s next agenda.

“I really want to congratulate Linda, you and Brooke, for the work you’ve done. And it’s an honor to be here,” Trump closed, praising the AFPI director.

“Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone introduced Trump and gave brief remarks comparing the president-elect to his legacy movie character and then to George Washington. Notably, Vice President Kamala Harris held her final campaign rally on Philadelphia’s iconic “Rocky steps” on the eve of the election.

Before Trump took the stage, speakers included AFPI President Brook Rollins, AFPI Board Chair and Trump Transition Co-Chair Linda McMahon, Argentine President Javier Millei, Ramaswamy and Larry Kudlow.

After Trump spoke, Musk also gave a short speech, doubling down on his pledge to destroy the federal government.

Trump’s decision to deliver his first full speech on camera at the America First Policy Institute gala symbolized a shift away from his campaign to his transition efforts, and to celebrate AFPI’s four years of quietly preparing for the moment to build Trump. aligned policy agenda for his second term and home to hundreds of former Trump administration officials now poised to move into his second administration.

The ballroom was packed with big and small name Trump allies.

Musk sat at a table near the front of the room with Burgum, Ramawamy, Howard Lutnick and other top Trump White House officials including Dan Scavino, Stephen Miller and James Blair. Gaetz was seen chatting with Kennedy.

Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas and Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, whom Trump called “stars” in his speech, were seen sitting together at a table further back, while former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal was seen mingling in the crowd before the program. .

Donald Trump Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle, Kellyanne Conway, Tulsi Gabbard and House Speaker Mike Johnson were also in attendance.