★ Government Action
Senate confirms top MAGA donor Lutnick as Commerce Secretary
Donations In, Favors OutFrom Donor to DiplomatTrump Cabinet
Filed February 2025
★ The Brief
What happened
On February 18, 2025, the Senate confirmed Lutnick, then chair and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, as Secretary of Commerce by a 51-45 vote. He co-chaired Trump's 2024 presidential transition team.
Who enabled it
Who benefits
Deal or steal?
Lutnick gave $8.75 million to MAGA Inc. during the 2024 cycle and co-chaired Trump's transition team that selected cabinet picks.
★ Cast your vote
On February 18, 2025, the Senate confirmed Howard Lutnick as Secretary of Commerce by a 51-45 vote. Lutnick had been chair and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, the Wall Street investment bank, and co-chaired Trump's 2024 presidential transition team. During the 2024 cycle he gave $8.75 million to Make America Great Again Inc., ranking among the super PAC's top individual donors. Trump announced the nomination on November 19, 2024.
Further reading
- ★ Government ActionMarch 2025Senate confirms WWE co-founder McMahon as Education Secretary
- ★ Government ActionJanuary 2025Senate confirms hedge fund founder Bessent as Treasury Secretary
- ★ Government ActionFebruary 2026Moroun lobbies Lutnick before Trump threatens Gordie Howe Bridge
- ★ Private ActionOctober 2025Corporations pledge funding for Trump's $300M White House ballroom
- ★ Private ActionJuly 2026Lockheed Martin to fund Trump's new White House helipad
- ★ Private ActionJuly 2026FIFA reverses a US player's World Cup ban after Trump's call