Trump's transition chief under fire for 'totally sketchy' conflicts of interest
Source: Politico
10/23/2024 06:15 AM EDT
Howard Lutnick, the Wall Street CEO heading up Donald Trump’s transition operation, is facing accusations from some Trump insiders that he is improperly mixing his business interests with his duties standing up a potential administration.
The alarm among Trump’s loyalists has been compounded by the belief that Lutnick has tried to sideline a host of aides and advisers who worked in the first Trump administration in hopes of instead filling the second administration with new people who could be personally beneficial to him. The concerns were described by two people close to Trump, who said they have risen all the way to the ex-president himself. They have prompted speculation that Lutnick might be demoted or made to report to another Trump loyalist on transition matters.
Lutnick’s camp rejects the double-dealing allegations and suggests they are a smear pushed by some ex-Trump officials associated with Project 2025 — the now-defunct Heritage Foundation project that has become a political albatross for Trump — who are upset with Lutnick for refusing to consider them for key positions. “The entire transition team is solely focused on ensuring President Trump is victorious and that he is ready to start building out his historic second administration immediately with dedicated individuals who will advance his America First agenda,” Lutnick said in a statement.
The most serious accusations involve Lutnick taking meetings on Capitol Hill in his role as transition co-chair, then allegedly using the opportunity to talk about matters impacting his investment firm, Cantor Fitzgerald — including high-stakes regulatory matters involving its cryptocurrency business.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/23/howard-lutnick-trump-transition-scrutiny-00184985
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