October 27, 2024
One of the most unexpected endorsements of the then president Donald Trump’s campaigning moves was a compliment by the former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Trump’s move to privately fund his presidential transition team prior to the election. Kennedy also said that Trump’s method was unlike anything the United States has seen before, as she did in an weekend campaign appearance with Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance.
“Normally, the transition team is not created until Nov. 6th because the General Accounting Office (GAO) pays for all the costs,” Kennedy noted. “But Trump said, ‘I’m not going to do it this time. I’m not going to do it their way. I’m going to start my own transition team three months early.’ And he got private donors to fund it.” Kennedy’s comments underscore Trump’s determination to have a structured and well-prepared team in place before Election Day, reflecting a proactive approach that contrasts with the traditional reliance on federal funding.
Trump recently appeared on the popular Joe Rogan Experience, where he discussed key lessons from his first presidential term, acknowledging that some staffing choices in 2016 did not serve him well. By assembling a privately funded transition team early, Trump aims to avoid similar pitfalls, preparing for a smooth and efficient start should he win the upcoming election. This early preparation, according to Trump, is a strategic decision to “hit the ground running.”
Kennedy, who came out on Trump’s side earlier this year after giving up an independent run, is not the only high-profile figure to have joined Trump’s unconventional transition team. Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, another crossover supporter, has also aligned with Trump in this election cycle. Their inclusion is part of Trump’s strategy to create a diverse coalition of supporters, united by a vision for change that crosses party lines.
Kennedy pointed out that there will be no corporate lobbyists on the transition team, which differentiates it from presidential transitions. “Usually, it’s 100% corporate lobbyists,” he said. “But this time, there are none. It’s very, very different, and it gives me lots of hope that this government is going to be different than any government we’ve ever seen.”
Trump has also come in for some heat in recent weeks, particularly after his former Chief of Staff John Kelly stated in *The New York Times* that Trump’s actions at times “the definition of a fascist” and claimed Trump had praised German dictator Adolf Hitler. Trump has denied these allegations, calling Kelly a “lowlife” in a strong rebuttal to his former chief of staff.
Trump’s transition plan – Kennedy called it a “hopeful” approach – is his attempt to steer the government in a new direction. With a team free from corporate interests, Trump’s supporters believe his administration could operate with a renewed commitment to independence and public service.
As Election Day approaches, Trump’s early and self-funded transition strategy underscores his determination to build a team ready to implement his policies without delay.
Sources:
– General Accounting Office
– The Joe Rogan Experience
– The New York Times
