Republican Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States after defeating Democrat Kamala Harris in the November election. This victory marks Trump’s return to the presidency, having previously served from 2017 to 2021.
Trump is officially the president-elect, with JD Vance as his vice-president-elect. He will take office during the inauguration on January 20, 2025.
To ensure a smooth transition, Trump met with outgoing President Joe Biden at the White House. He has also spoken with global leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Before the inauguration, Trump and his team received important national security briefings about current threats and military operations. He has nominated over two dozen people for key government positions, including Pete Hegseth as defense secretary. Hegseth has faced questions about his qualifications and a past sexual assault allegation, which he denies.
For health secretary, Trump has chosen Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for making controversial claims about vaccines. Trump nominated Pam Bondi as attorney general after former Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew amid allegations related to drugs and bribery, which he also denies.
Trump’s cabinet picks need Senate approval. Elon Musk will lead a new advisory group called the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) to help cut government waste.
Trump also nominated family members for roles, including Massad Boulos as an adviser on Middle Eastern affairs and Charles Kushner as ambassador to France.
The electoral college confirmed Trump’s victory with 312 votes to Harris’s 226. Congress will meet on January 6 to finalize the results, with Kamala Harris presiding.
Trump will be sworn in on January 20, delivering his inaugural address afterward. Notably, Biden will attend this ceremony, unlike in 2021 when Trump skipped Biden’s inauguration.
-BBC
