Trump news live: Melania’s office breaks silence on skipping White House meeting with the Bidens

Republican TV commentator Scott Jennings is coming to fellow conservative television personality Pete Hegseth’s defense amid outage over the Fox News host being picked to lead the Defense Department.

President-elect Donald Trump announced Hegseth, 44, was his pick for defense secretary in a post Tuesday night.

The pair have a close relationship with Hegseth being a longtime supporter. But the military veteran and likely Trump loyalist is a controversial pick.

But Jennings came to Hegseth’s defense.

‘Does anyone have confidence in the current leadership of the Pentagon and the way the defense situation has been operating for the last several years?’ Jennings asked.

John Thune has been elected Senate Republican leader to usher in Donald Trump’s ambitious GOP majority in Congress after a private vote Wednesday morning.

Thune, 63, will replace outgoing Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky after the 82-year-old announced he would be stepping down from the leadership role.

McConnell was the longest-serving GOP leader in Senate history with a roughly 18-year tenure. But his yearslong feud with Trump put him at odds with many in the GOP who wanted a MAGA leader going into the president-elect’s second term.

The South Dakota senator currently serves as the number two Republican in Senate leadership.

He’s been in the Senate since 2005 and is seen as a Senate institutionalist, garnering support from key supporters in the chamber.

Thune won the leadership election over former Whip Sen. John Cornyn, Texas, in a second-round ballot resulting in a 29-24 vote.

He fended off a left-field challenge from Sen. Rick Scott of Florida who had the backing of Trump’s trusted advisor billionaire Elon Musk and other MAGA faithful.

From Jon Michael Raasch on Capitol Hill:

The first ballot did not result in a winner between the three candidates.

• THUNE: 23
• CORNYN: 15
• SCOTT: 13

Republicans are now voting on a second ballot between Cornyn and Thune after Rick Scott dropped off.

From Jon Michael Raasch on Capitol Hill:

Senate Republicans are holding their highly-anticipated leadership elections today after taking a 53-47 majority in the Senate.

Trump’s political nemesis Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., 82, is stepping down opening the door for a new leader to usher in the MAGA agenda.

Frontrunners Rick Scott of Florida, John Thune of South Dakota and John Cornyn of Texas are all in the mix to replace McConnell, who has led the conference since 2007.

Jill Biden’s spokesperson confirmed that the First Lady joined President Joe Biden in greeting Trump upon his arrival to the White House on Wednesday.

‘She gave Mr. Trump a handwritten letter of congratulations for Mrs. Trump, which also expressed her team’s readiness to assist with the transition.’

Trump told Biden while seated for a brief pool spray at the top of their meeting:

Politics is tough. In many cases is it not a nice world but it is a nice world today.

Biden has pledged that there will be a peaceful exchange of power to Trump in the coming months.

The Oval Office meeting between Donald Trump and President Joe Biden is underway at the White House.

Trump said politics was tough but thanked the president for a smooth transition. Biden said ‘you’re welcome’.

Donald Trump announced a string of senior White House appointments on Wednesday morning. They all had central roles in his election campaign.

DAN SCAVINO – Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff. Scavino was a Trump Campaign Senior Adviser and ran social media accounts

STEPHEN MILLER – Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor. He was a key figure (and survivor) of Trump’s previous administration

JAMES BLAIR – Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Political and Public Affairs.

TAYLOR BUDOWICH – Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Personnel

Dan, Stephen, James, and Taylor were ‘best in class’ advisers on my winning campaign, and I know they will honorably serve the American people in the White House. They will continue to work hard to Make America Great Again in their respective new roles.

Kamala Harris ran the Fyre festival of campaigns, and it points out that Trump’s campaign spent roughly $488 million, and Kamala spent more than a billion. So, she outspent Trump more than two to one, and Kamala campaign ended up $20 million in debt.

Look, I’m a fiscal conservative, damn it. If you want to be there and you believe in saving the country, stand up and save the country. And save the country, and if not, get the hell out.

What’s left of Vice President Kamala Harris‘ campaign has been radio silent on wild claims the Democratic nominee wasted millions on celebrity endorsements.

Since her defeat to Donald Trump, allegations she paid extortionate seven-figure sums to the A-list backers have emerged on social media.

By Emily Goodin, senior White House correspondent

President Joe Biden bragged about his record as president ahead of his meeting with Donald Trump.

Biden, speaking at the Classroom to Career Event taking place at the White House, pointed to the number of jobs he created.

‘We have created 16 million new jobs – brand new jobs – since I took office — the most in any single presidential term,’ he said.

He added that inflation and unemployment are back down near their pre-pandemic levels.

And he got in a hit at Trump, saying he is more invested in buying American than his predecessor: ‘This past administration failed to do that. Like I said so much was exported overseas.’

‘Not on my watch. My administration buys American.’

Jill Biden spoke ahead of the president and acknowledged the couple is getting ready for their next phase in life. They leave the White House in January.

While the Bidens spoke, president-elect Donald Trump was meeting with House Republicans.

Biden and Trump will meet in the Oval Office at 11 a.m.

During his meeting with House Republicans, Trump reiterated his support for Mike Johnson.

He called him a ‘tremendous guy’ and said he’s with Johnson.

The former Democrat left the party and joined the MAGA movement, stumping for President-elect Donald Trump ahead of the election.

She reportedly was interested in being named secretary of Defense.

Trump named Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth to that role Tuesday night.

Donald Trump’s high-profile firebrand attorney is back on Fox News, addressing reports that the president-elect could be considering her to serve as his press secretary in the White House.

DailyMail.com reported that Habba, 40, flew to Palm Beach in Florida on Tuesday evening where she was expected to discuss a possible role for her in the administration.

Habba told Fox News Sean Hannity on Wednesday that she would consider serving as press secretary if asked.

‘I am very loyal to President Trump. I would think about it very seriously,’ she said.

President-elect Donald Trump arrived at Joint Base Andrews for his historic White House meeting with President Biden.

Traveling with him on his private modified Boeing 757 were billionaire Elon Musk (just named to helm a commission on government waste), advisors Jason Miller, Dan Scavino, Stephen Miller, Boris Epshteyn, and ‘human printer’ Natalie Harp.

Trump arrived on Capitol Hill to tout his ‘historic’ victory including a ‘sweep of the swing states’ as they vote on their leadership for the next Congress.

We won [the majority], and we won it every, every way, all seven swing states by a lot.

He went on to tout his surge in support among voters in Democratic states including New York, California and New Jersey.

I suspect I won’t be running again unless you say he’s so good we got to figure something else out.

Vivek Ramaswamy has warned there will be ‘massive downsizing’ in the federal government after he was picked for an efficiency role alongside Elon Musk.

Donald Trump’s selection sent shockwaves through Washington D.C. on Tuesday night.

From Jon Michael Raasch on Capitol Hill:

Vance declined to answer questions about who he plans to back in today’s closed-door Senate leadership election.

Newsom’s visit to the Hill comes as President-elect Donald Trump is also en route to meet with congressional leaders.

Donald Trump’s new defense chief was barred from being a guard at Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021 due to an ‘extremist’ tattoo.

Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host who will be Defense Secretary, was due to serve with the Minnesota National Guard at Biden’s inauguration but was reportedly told to stand down.

Hegseth, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, told Shawn Ryan’s podcast: ‘I was deemed an extremist because of a tattoo by my National Guard unit in Washington D.C. and my orders were revoked to guard the Biden inauguration.’

Hegseth said he had a ‘Jerusalem Cross tattoo, which is just a Christian symbol’ on his chest.

By Emily Goodin, senior White House correspondent

The former first lady has a conflicting event, sources told DailyMail.com. It’s believed to be tied to her memoir.

Speculation has begun swirling that Lara Trump could be the perfect fit for a place in Congress.

Donald Trump‘s glamorous daughter-in-law, 42, has been co-chairing the Republican National Committee since March and has recently been praised for overseeing the dominant Republican wins in the 2024 election.

The mother of two married Eric Trump in 2014 and has worked in Trump’s orbit ever since, being a fixture on his three presidential campaigns.

After reports Monday indicated that Sen. Marco Rubio will be joining his upcoming administration as Secretary of State, the question of who will replace the Florida lawmaker has quickly cropped up.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will now be forced to select a replacement for the veteran lawmaker who has served since 2011 – and Trump’s daughter-in-law has been mentioned as a contender by several Republicans.

Musk, who is emerging as one of Trump’s closest advisers, is joining the president-elect on the Hill Wednesday morning.

Trump will to return to Capitol Hill just as Senate Republicans are scheduled to hold their highly-anticipated leadership elections.

The House of Representatives is also just two seats away from keeping their slim majority over Democrats, which will hand Trump virtually unchecked power in Washington.

All eyes will be on the president-elect since he has yet to announce who he wants to lead the Senate with his political nemesis Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., stepping down.

Frontrunners Rick Scott of Florida, John Thune of South Dakota and John Cornyn of Texas are all in the mix to replace McConnell, who has led the conference since 2007.

By Emily Goodin, senior White House correspondent

When Donald Trump arrives at the White House today, he’ll see his inaugural viewing stand being built along Pennsylvania Avenue.

It’s where he and Melania Trump will watch the inaugural day parade after he takes the oath of office.

Trump and President Joe Biden are scheduled to meet in the Oval Office at 11 a.m.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign delivered $500,000 in donations to Al Sharpton’s non-profit organization, just prior to a glowing interview with the candidate on MSNBC.

Harris’s campaign gave two payments of $250,000 to National Action Network on September 5 and October 1, according to campaign finance records first reported by the Washington Free Beacon and confirmed by DailyMail.com.

Sharpton publicly backed Harris after Biden endorsed her to succeed him in his reelection campaign. After Sharpton’s organization received donations from Harris, he got a coveted sit-down interview with her just two weeks before the election.

Harris appeared on Sharpton’s MSNBC Politics Nation show on October 20, exclusively aired on the cable network.

‘Donald Trump should never again stand behind the seal of the president of the United States, he has not earned the right. And that’s why he’s going to lose,’ Harris said.

Donald Trump is considering tapping his firebrand attorney Alina Habba to be his top spokesperson once he takes office in January, according to reports.

DailyMail.com has learned that Habba, 40, is flying to Palm Beach in Florida on Tuesday evening and is expected to have a discussion with the President-elect this week about a potential role in his administration.

She could be asked to join Trump as his White House press secretary, a hugely high-profile job that requires sparring with members of the media daily, and being the ‘face’ of the administration.

Known as the attack dog of his campaign, Habba was often seen at Trump’s rallies urging his supporters to stick it to liberals and vote him in for a second term.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked Tuesday if President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ post-election lunch at the White House was ‘awkward.’

Harris returned to the White House complex Tuesday for the first time since her bruising election loss a week ago to former President Donald Trump.

Aides stood on the Eisenhower Executive Office Building’s steps to catch a glimpse of the now former Democratic nominee, who told them to keep the faith before she walked over for her lunch with Biden.

‘I don’t even understand. Why would it be awkward? Why would it be awkward?’ Jean-Pierre replied to Fox News’ Peter Doocy. ‘Why would you characterize it as awkward? They have regular lunches. They meet and talk regularly.’

Jean-Pierre then pointed to Biden and Harris’ joint appearance Monday to mark Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery.

One of the most tense meetings in White House history is likely happening in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

President Joe Biden, who defeated Donald Trump four years ago, will host Trump – the man he always believed he could beat in a rematch.

For Trump, it will be a grand return to the place from which he was vanquished four years ago by the man now sitting at the Resolute Desk, the same desk Trump used four years ago.

Both men have made clear they dislike the other. And neither man has held back when it comes to criticizing the other.

Biden has called Trump a threat to democracy, suggested he be locked up, and referred to his supporters as ‘garbage.’ Before he dropped out of the race in July, he hoped to defeat Trump for four more years in the White House.

Trump has questioned Biden’s mental health, threatened to lock up his son Hunter and prosecute any Democrat he feels is an enemy.

‘We want this to go well,’ White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday.

Special counsel Jack Smith is planning to resign before Donald Trump enters the White House, a report claims.

The federal prosecutor’s two cases against the president-elect are on the brink of being closed.

Sources close to Smith told the New York Times he wants to finish his work and avoid being fired ‘within two seconds’ of Trump being sworn in.

The two complex investigations into Trump have cost the taxpayer around $50million.

Donald Trump’s second term as president is being shaped by the loyal allies who have stood by him during his four years outside of the White House.

As the clock ticks down to his inauguration on January 20, all eyes will be on Mar-a-Lago as Republicans jostle for a cabinet spot or a senior role in the West Wing.

And those are filling fast. In the past two-plus days, nine potential appointees have emerged for top Cabinet or West Wing roles and a handful of contenders for other vital positions have emerged.

On Tuesday night there was a flurry of picks, including Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as heads of the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’, and John Ratcliffe as Director of the CIA.

DailyMail.com breaks down who the president-elect has picked so far – and who is almost certain to take a spot.

President-elect Donald Trump announced that his former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe is his choice to lead the CIA – citing his credentials battling the ‘fake Russian collusion’ narrative.

Trump announced the latest loyalist pick to his rapidly growing cabinet, which had been floated, with a statement on a day when he announced he would tap former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as U.S. ambassador to Israel.

Once again, Trump used language suggesting it was a done deal, although the newly Republican Senate will have to confirm the selection.

‘I am pleased to announce that former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe will serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA),’ Trump said.

‘From exposing fake Russian collusion to be a Clinton campaign operation, to catching the FBI’s abuse of Civil Liberties at the FISA Court, John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public. When 51 intelligence officials were lying about Hunter Biden’s laptop, there was one, John Ratcliffe, telling the truth to the American People.’

Donald Trump sparked a liberal meltdown Tuesday night by telling Elon Musk to slash billions in government waste and tapping anti-woke Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.

In announcing the new addition to his rapidly filling administration, Trump said that Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will ‘dismantle’ the $6.5 trillion federal government by co-leading the ‘Manhattan Project of our time’ – dubbed the Dept. of Government Efficiency or DOGE.

‘The Office of Government Efficiency is off to a great start with split leadership: two people to do the work of one person,’ Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren snarked. ‘Yeah, this seems REALLY efficient.’

Another account added: ‘lol we’re all gonna die aren’t we, cool cool cool.’

Musk jumped on X to pledge to slash hundreds of agencies from the federal government. He and Trump hope to recapture the spirit of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s Manhattan Project, which saw the first nuclear weapons developed in just three years between 1942 and 1945.

That effort yielded the atomic bombs that the U.S. dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, leading to an end to the Second World War.

By Emily Goodin, senior White House correspondent

Melania Trump will not join Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, despite receiving an invitation from President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden to attend.

Michelle Obama hosted Melania Trump for tea in the Yellow Room after the 2016 election. However, Melania Trump did not meet with Jill Biden after the contentious 2020 race as Donald Trump falsely and repeatedly claimed he was the true winner.

Melania and Jill have yet to speak in the aftermath of Kamala Harris’ humiliating defeat, even though their husbands had a cordial phone call, sources confirm.

‘Mrs. Trump is not going, and they have not spoken,’ a source with knowledge said of the first ladies told DailyMail.com of Wednesday’s presidential sitdown.