By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-11-17 02:46:05 | Updated at 2024-11-23 01:37:52
5 days ago
The Trump transition team is considering a former Uber executive and three current or former Republican congressmen – one of whom is now a Fox News host – to lead the US Department of Transportation, eight sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Emil Michael, a Trump donor and technology entrepreneur who knows Elon Musk socially, has emerged as a leading contender, three of the sources said. Tech executives who backed Trump have advocated for the former Uber executive, two of the sources said.
Other candidates include Sam Graves – a US House of Representatives member from Missouri and chair of its Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure – along with outgoing Republican Representative Garret Graves, of Louisiana, and former Wisconsin Representative Sean Duffy, now a Fox News host, seven of the sources said.
Sam Graves said in a statement he would be honoured if asked to serve as DOT and would consider the position. A spokesperson for Garret Graves did not comment on the DOT prospect but said he had been advising Trump’s campaign on transport and infrastructure issues.
Michael declined to comment. Duffy did not respond to a request seeking comment.
The eight sources who spoke with Reuters in some cases gave differing accounts of which candidate or candidates would most likely be tapped for DOT chief position. It is possible other contenders could emerge.
