MAR-A-LAGO, FL — In his first public speech since winning the 2024 election, President-elect Donald Trump celebrated his victory and recognized close allies at the America First Policy Institute Gala, held Thursday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
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Describing this election as “the most consequential,” Trump reflected on his achievement of winning both the popular and electoral vote, a first for him. “They would say, ‘he didn’t win the popular vote.’ And we won the popular vote by records now, which so nobody can say that anymore about us,” he remarked.
Trump also commended his new Cabinet selections and senior officials, several of whom attended the gala, including tech billionaire Elon Musk, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. Notably, Trump did not single out former Representative Matt Gaetz, recently announced as Attorney General, who was also present.
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Shifting his attention to Musk, with whom he has spent considerable time since the election, Trump praised the entrepreneur’s intelligence. “We have a man who has a seriously high IQ… and his is about as high as they get,” Trump said, thanking Musk for his support during the campaign in Pennsylvania.
Trump highlighted his recent appointment of Musk and Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with reducing bureaucratic waste and strengthening the nation. “They’re going to be saving a lot of money and making our country stronger and better… So we look forward to seeing and working with Elon, and that’ll be a great experience,” he said.
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Discussing RFK Jr., his choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Trump praised Kennedy’s commitment to public health, saying, “He wants to make people healthy. It’s driven him pretty wild over the last number of years.” In a lighthearted warning, Trump added, “People like you, Bobby. Don’t get too popular, Bobby.”
Trump then announced that Burgum would be appointed Secretary of the Interior, with a formal declaration scheduled for Friday. Trump also teased a major announcement about his Secretary of Energy selection. “Hi, Doug. He’s going to be announced tomorrow… And we’re going to do things with energy and with land interior that is going to be incredible,” Trump hinted.
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In a humorous aside, Trump joked about moving his official term start date to November 5, claiming that economic enthusiasm has already surged since his win. “The market’s gone through the roof. Enthusiasm’s doubled,” he declared.
Trump’s choice of venue, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) gala, signals the organization’s central role in shaping his second-term agenda. “I really want to congratulate Linda, you, and Brooke, for the job you’ve done. And it’s an honor to be here,” Trump said, applauding AFPI executives Linda McMahon and Brooke Rollins.
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The evening began with actor Sylvester Stallone introducing Trump, comparing him to his iconic character “Rocky” and even to George Washington. Stallone’s introduction followed Vice President Kamala Harris’s final campaign rally on the “Rocky steps” in Philadelphia just before the election.
The event was marked by a lineup of prominent speakers, including AFPI President Brook Rollins, board chair Linda McMahon, Argentine President Javier Millei, Ramaswamy, and Larry Kudlow. After Trump’s speech, Musk delivered a brief address, reinforcing his commitment to scaling back federal government operations.
The gala’s atmosphere was one of celebration and transition, signaling the end of Trump’s campaign and the start of his transition efforts. AFPI’s work over the past four years, quietly preparing a Trump-aligned policy agenda, took center stage as former Trump officials prepared to step back into government roles.
The ballroom was filled with Trump allies, with Musk seated prominently at the front with Burgum, Ramaswamy, Howard Lutnick, and senior White House advisors Dan Scavino, Stephen Miller, and James Blair. Gaetz and Kennedy were seen in conversation, while representatives Ronny Jackson and Byron Donalds, whom Trump called a “star” in his speech, were seated together further back. Former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal mingled with attendees before the program began.
Other notable attendees included Donald Trump Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle, Kellyanne Conway, Tulsi Gabbard, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, showcasing a robust show of support as Trump prepares for his second term in office.
