Recap | Trump’s cabinet picks: Musk, RFK Jnr, Gaetz, Dr Oz, Hegseth to shape US policy on China, health, defence

1. Trump’s White House team: who are president-elect’s picks for some of the top cabinet roles and where do they stand on China?

Donald Trump is assembling a new team for his second term, with key positions being filled by loyalists, many known for their tough stance on China. Here we run through some of the early picks for jobs in the next Trump administration.

2. Trump taps Musk to lead new Department of Government Efficiency which will operate outside government control

SpaceX and Tesla owner Elon Musk is to head a new department aimed at reducing bureaucracy and cutting waste. This unconventional move grants the billionaire significant influence, operating outside the traditional government structure.

3. Trump appoints vaccine sceptic Robert F. Kennedy Jnr to lead US health agency

The controversial figure known for his anti-vaccine stance has been appointed to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services. He has suggested he would gut the 18,000-employee Food and Drug Administration – which ensures the safety of food, drugs and medical devices – and replace hundreds of employees at the National Institutes of Health.

4. Trump taps former WWE mogul Linda McMahon as education secretary

The co-founder and former CEO of the WWE professional wrestling franchise is seen as a controversial choice given her lack of experience in education and Trump’s previous calls to abolish the department. McMahon, a major Trump supporter and advocate for school choice, promises to fight for universal access to quality education across the US.