Donald Trump’s Nominations Impact On The Stock Market

White House Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles

• Background: Susie Wiles managed Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign. She was the only campaign manager to last an entire campaign working for Donald Trump, who announced her as Chief of Staff within a day of winning the election, making her the first woman ever to serve as Chief of Staff.
• Policies: Wiles is seen as pragmatic and organizational, likely to bring a disciplined approach to the administration. While her specific policy stances are less public, her role in streamlining operations will likely focus on making the administration more effective, which could boost investor confidence in the stability of the administration.
• Stock to Watch: General Dynamics ($GD) – A well-run and efficient government structure could lead to more reliable defense contracts, benefiting large contractors like General Dynamics.

Secretary of State: Marco Rubio

• Background: Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) is a prominent figure in the GOP, known for his foreign policy expertise and hawkish stance on China and Russia. He has been a vocal advocate for strong U.S. engagement on the global stage, especially in Latin America. Donald Trump used to refer to him as "Little Marco" during the 2016 Republican Presidential Nominee debates.
• Policies: Rubio’s foreign policy would likely focus on confronting China economically, while also addressing issues in Latin America. His push for tougher trade policies with China may have mixed effects on certain industries.
• Stock to Watch: Lockheed Martin ($LMT) – Rubio’s stance on China and defense could benefit defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, which is a major player in military hardware and arms sales.

Attorney General: Matt Gaetz

• Background: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is a staunch Trump ally and vocal supporter of aggressive law enforcement and legal reforms. Known for his combative style, Gaetz’s leadership could push for more aggressive enforcement of immigration laws and business regulations. The federal sex trafficking investigation against him concluded in 2023. He was also under investigation by the House Ethics for sexual misconduct, however yesterday (11/13) he resigned from the House, shortly after Donald Trump announced that he intended to nominate Matt. "Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans' badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department" Trump said.
• Policies: As Attorney General, Gaetz might focus on cracking down on “left-wing” activism, pushing for stricter enforcement of conservative values, particularly in tech and immigration.
• Stock to Watch: Palantir Technologies (PLTR) – If Gaetz’s policies lead to increased government data gathering or surveillance programs, Palantir, a leader in data analytics, could see an uptick.

U.N. Ambassador: Elise Stefanik

• Background: Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) was the youngest ever woman elected to Congress at the time of her first election in 2014. She also is the youngest woman ever to serve in top elected House leadership. She has minimal experience in foreign policy and national security, however is known for her strong defense of U.S. sovereignty and for opposing globalism.
• Policies: Stefanik will likely focus on limiting U.S. involvement in international organizations like the UN and pushing for a more unilateral foreign policy that prioritizes American interests.
• Stock to Watch: ExxonMobil ($XOM) – A more isolationist approach may reduce international regulation on U.S. corporations, potentially benefiting oil giants like ExxonMobil.

Border Czar: Tom Homan

• Background: Tom Homan is a former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He’s known for his hardline stance on immigration enforcement and being for mass-deportation.
• Policies: Homan’s appointment signals a tougher approach to immigration policy, including stricter border controls and enforcement of existing immigration laws. This could impact industries that rely on immigrant labor.
• Stock to Watch: Caterpillar ($CAT) – The construction sector, heavily dependent on immigrant labor, may face increased labor costs and regulatory challenges, which could affect companies like Caterpillar.

Defense Secretary: Pete Hegseth

• Background: Pete Hegseth is a former Army officer and Fox News contributor known for his conservative views on national security and foreign policy.
• Policies: Hegseth is likely to push for greater military spending and a focus on readiness and modernization of U.S. forces, particularly in the context of countering China and Russia.
• Stock to Watch: Northrop Grumman ($NOC) – Increased military spending and modernization will likely benefit defense contractors such as Northrop Grumman.

National Security Adviser: Michael Waltz

• Background: Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL) is a former Green Beret and a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He has extensive experience in national security and defense policy.
• Policies: Waltz is expected to push for stronger counterterrorism efforts and a more proactive defense posture against China, Russia, and Iran.
• Stock to Watch: Boeing ($BA) – Boeing, as a major defense contractor, could benefit from increased military spending and modernization efforts.

White House Counsel: William McGinley

• Background: William McGinley is a seasoned lawyer with experience in both private practice and public service.
• Policies: McGinley’s focus will likely be on legal strategy, particularly in areas related to Trump’s agenda, regulatory policies, and potentially dealing with ongoing legal challenges.
• Stock to Watch: Goldman Sachs ($GS) – A strong legal framework that favors businesses and regulatory policies could have a positive impact on financial services firms like Goldman Sachs.

Secretary of Homeland Security: Kristi Noem

• Background: Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) is known for her staunch conservative views, particularly on issues like immigration and gun rights.
• Policies: As Homeland Security Secretary, Noem is expected to push for stronger border security and a crackdown on illegal immigration.
• Stock to Watch: American Eagle ($AEO) – Retail companies that rely on immigrant labor could see workforce disruptions or increased regulatory burdens. However, some companies may benefit from stronger border enforcement policies, especially in domestic manufacturing.

CIA Director: John Ratcliffe

• Background: John Ratcliffe is a former U.S. Congressman from Texas and served as the Director of National Intelligence under Trump.
• Policies: Ratcliffe is expected to take a hardline stance on espionage, cyber threats, and foreign intelligence, particularly concerning China and Russia.
• Stock to Watch: Raytheon Technologies ($RTX) – Cybersecurity and national defense sectors will benefit from increased intelligence activities, with companies like Raytheon playing a key role in this space.

Director of National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard

• Background: Tulsi Gabbard is a former Congresswoman from Hawaii and a former presidential candidate (on the Democratic side). She’s known for her anti-interventionist foreign policy and focus on civil liberties. She has shown support for both Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump in the past. She served in the Army National Guard.
• Policies: Gabbard may push for a reduction in military interventions and focus on cybersecurity and domestic intelligence gathering rather than overseas operations.
• Stock to Watch: Palantir Technologies ($PLTR) – Gabbard’s focus on cybersecurity could benefit companies like Palantir, which specializes in big data analytics for intelligence agencies.

EPA Administrator: Lee Zeldin

• Background: Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) is known for his conservative stance on environmental regulations and has been a vocal critic of the EPA in the past.
• Policies: Zeldin is likely to scale back environmental regulations, particularly those aimed at restricting fossil fuel industries, and reduce the power of the EPA in regulating emissions.
• Stock to Watch: Chevron ($CVX) – Reduced regulations on fossil fuels would likely benefit large oil and gas companies like Chevron.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee

• Background: Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is a staunch supporter of Israel and conservative Christian causes.
• Policies: Huckabee’s tenure will likely focus on reinforcing the U.S.-Israel alliance and pushing for policies favorable to Israel in the Middle East.
• Stock to Watch: Lockheed Martin ($LMT) – U.S. military and defense support for Israel could benefit defense contractors, especially those involved in missile defense systems like Lockheed Martin.

Department of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy

• Background: Elon Musk is the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, while Vivek Ramaswamy is a biotech entrepreneur and author. Both are innovators with a focus on efficiency and entrepreneurship.
• Policies: Musk and Ramaswamy would likely advocate for cutting red tape in government and driving efficiency in federal operations, potentially through technology and innovation.
• Stock to Watch: Tesla (TSLA) – Musk’s influence could have a direct positive impact on Tesla’s operations, particularly in terms of innovation and efficiency. And of course there is Doge coin, which has seen a rise in price based off of the hype of the name of the Department.

Deputy Chief of Staff: Dan Scavino

• Background: Dan Scavino is a longtime Trump ally, having served as his social media director and deputy chief of staff in the previous administration.
• Policies: Scavino will likely focus on communications and messaging, helping to solidify the administration’s political and public outreach strategies.
• Stock to Watch: Trump Media & Technology Group Corp ($DJT) – Scavino’s social media expertise could be significant for platforms like $DJT and X, particularly in terms of political messaging and engagement.

Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Adviser: Stephen Miller

• Background: Stephen Miller is a prominent conservative political strategist, best known for his hardline stance on immigration and his role as an architect of Trump’s immigration policies.
• Policies: As a key figure in shaping policy on immigration, national security, and conservative social issues, Miller would likely push for more restrictive immigration laws, enhanced border security, and stronger enforcement of law and order.
• Stock to Watch: CoreCivic ($CXW) – A push for more stringent immigration enforcement could result in higher demand for private prisons and detention facilities, benefiting companies like CoreCivic, which operates these facilities.

Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Political and Public Affairs: James Blair

• Background: James Blair has been involved in several high-profile Republican campaigns and has deep ties to conservative political operations. He is known for his legislative and political acumen, particularly in understanding the dynamics of Congress.
• Policies: Blair’s role would likely focus on political strategy, working to pass legislative priorities and advance Trump’s agenda in the Republican-controlled Congress.
• Stock to Watch: McDonald’s ($MCD) – A well-oiled political operation that leads to favorable business policies could help large multinational corporations, like McDonald’s, navigate regulatory environments, especially in labor and taxation.

Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Personnel: Taylor Budowich

• Background: Taylor Budowich is a political communications strategist and former spokesman for Trump’s campaign. He is known for managing high-pressure situations and maintaining a strong public narrative in favor of Trump.
• Policies: Budowich’s role will focus on internal White House communications and external public relations, aiming to strengthen the administration’s media presence and messaging strategy.
• Stock to Watch: Comcast ($CMCSA) – Strong public relations and media messaging will be key to maintaining favorable public perceptions, which could benefit media companies like Comcast, especially in terms of advertising and content.

Presidential Personnel Office Head: Sergio Gor

• Background: Sergio Gor has a background in conservative political strategy and personnel management, and has worked on various Republican campaigns, focusing on staffing and recruitment.
• Policies: Gor’s role will involve managing appointments to key government positions and ensuring that the administration is staffed with individuals who align with Trump’s policies. A focus on conservative appointments could lead to a shift in federal policies and administrative priorities.
• Stock to Watch: Bain & Company (Private company, but significant influence on policy) – A personnel office that focuses on corporate alignment and efficiency may lead to greater reliance on corporate consulting firms like Bain, especially in the realm of government efficiency.

Summary of Potential Stock Impacts:

These Trump cabinet picks and key advisors could have far-reaching effects on various sectors in the stock market. While their policies may vary from a hawkish foreign policy to tough immigration enforcement or a focus on government efficiency, each appointment will have ripple effects on specific industries. Here’s a quick recap of some stocks to watch based on the cabinet and policy shifts:

• Lockheed Martin (LMT): Defense contracts may benefit from stronger military policies.
• Palantir Technologies (PLTR): Increased data analytics and surveillance demands could boost Palantir.
• ExxonMobil (XOM): Less regulation on fossil fuels could benefit oil and gas companies.
• Caterpillar (CAT): Labor market changes, especially in construction, could impact companies like Caterpillar.
• Raytheon Technologies (RTX): Increased defense spending may favor military contractors.
• Chevron (CVX): A regulatory rollback on energy companies could be positive for oil giants like Chevron.
• CoreCivic (CXW): Tighter immigration policies could boost demand for private detention facilities.
• Tesla (TSLA): Innovations in government efficiency could benefit Tesla, especially if Musk takes an active role.
• McDonald's (MCD): Favorable business policies could support multinational corporations.
• Comcast (CMCSA): Media companies could benefit from strong communications strategies.