President-elect Donald Trump has finally revealed who he has chosen to serve as the Secretary of Commerce in his administration, which is a position that plays a critical role in shaping trade and tariff policies. Howard Lutnick, who is the chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald will fill the cabinet position. Lutnick will be helping to oversee the country’s economic strategy and trade relations with other countries all over the world.
Lutnick, according to Trending Politics News, is most well known for the leadership he exhibited following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. He helped rebuild the financial firm while also leading one of the biggest philanthropic efforts to help support the families of victims killed in the attack. In short, he’s a darn good man.
Trump praised Lutnick’s “dynamic force” in the business world and credited him with helping design the Trump-Vance transition process. “Howard has created the most sophisticated system to assist us in creating the greatest Administration America has ever seen,” Trump said in a statement. Lutnick’s decades-long career in finance began at Cantor Fitzgerald in 1983, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become CEO at 29. He faced unimaginable tragedy on September 11, 2001, losing 658 employees—including close friends and family—when the Twin Towers fell.
A twist of fate saved his own life: he was taking his son to his first day of kindergarten that morning, keeping him away from Cantor Fitzgerald’s offices at the World Trade Center. Despite the overwhelming loss, Lutnick rebuilt his financial trading firm, transforming it into a global powerhouse that continues to thrive today. As Secretary of Commerce, Lutnick will lead the administration’s efforts to renegotiate trade agreements and enforce tariffs, with direct oversight of the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Trump has said that revitalizing American manufacturing and reducing trade deficits are among his top priorities, framing Lutnick as the ideal leader for these efforts.
At first, he was being considered for the position of Treasury Secretary, facing some rather stiff competition from Scott Bessent, a well known investor. However, the rivalry between the two made Trump reconsider and broaden the search for someone to occupy the spot, including individuals like Federal Reserve Gov. Kevin Warsh and Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management.
Taking a deeper look at the philanthropy of Lutnick, he donated a staggering $100 million to victims of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and emergencies all over the globe. He’s also given $180 million to families who were impacted by 9/11. He’s the real deal, folks. Lutnick doesn’t just talk the talk. He walks the walk.
“Lutnick’s support for Trump during his presidency has been notable, as he praised Trump’s economic policies, particularly in regard to deregulation and tax reforms that benefitted businesses like his own,” the report said.
“Tariffs are an amazing tool for the president to use. They’re an amazing tool, but he [Trump] understands,” he said during a segment on MSNBC’s Squawk Box earlier in the year. “Don’t tariff stuff we don’t make. Right. If we don’t make it and you want to buy it, I don’t want to make it in America? Tariff it? Or if we’re competing with it, tariff it? But you got to remember we need to protect the American worker.”
Lutnick then added, “Finally someone’s going to protect the American worker and Donald Trump is here to protect the American worker.”
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