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Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he plans to nominate former Senator Kelly Loeffler, a wealthy supporter who lost her appointed seat to Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, to lead the Small Business Administration.
Loeffler, who was appointed to the Senate in 2019 after Republican Johny Isaakson retired, faced a contentious runoff election with Senate control at stake amidst Trump’s claims of election fraud.
She and her husband Jeffrey Sprecher have an estimated combined net worth of $500 million. Previously, she co-owned the Women’s National Basketball Association Atlanta Dream but sold her stake in 2021 after disagreements with players over the Black Lives Matter Movement.
Following criticism from her own players, many of whom were Black, Loeffler faced calls for her resignation. Despite denouncing ‘cancel culture,’ she ultimately sold the team.
After appearing at a Georgia rally with Trump where he made baseless claims of election fraud, she later voted to certify Joe Biden’s election win over Trump following the events of January 6.
‘When I arrived in Washington this morning, I fully intended to object to the certification of the electoral votes,’ she stated that day. ‘However, the events that have transpired today have forced me to reconsider, and I cannot now in good conscience object to the certification of these electors.’
‘There can be no disagreement that upholding democracy is the only path to preserving our republic,’ she added, earning applause in the Senate chamber then ransacked by a pro-Trump mob.
She has been jointly overseeing Trump’s inaugural committee with billionaire Steve Witkoff.
Donald Trump announced he will nomiante former Sen. Kelly Loeffler to run the Small Business Administration
Her name was previously considered for the Agriculture Department nomination, which Trump later offered to Brooke Rollins. The Senate Ethics Committee cleared her of wrongdoing regarding stock trades in 2020.
‘Kelly will bring her experience in business and Washington to reduce red tape and unleash opportunities for our small businesses to flourish,’ Trump stated. ‘She will focus on ensuring that the SBA is accountable to taxpayers by cracking down on waste, fraud, and regulatory overreach.’
Trump referred to her as a ‘tremendous fighter’ in the Senate and highlighted her 25 years in financial services and technology, praising her and her husband’s contributions to a Fortune 500 company and their role in securing his victory in Georgia.
Trump’s announcement of Loeffler’s nomination coincided with other nominations he made while addressing some controversial picks.
Loeffler appeared with Trump while campaigning in a runoff election when he repeated false election fraud claims. She flipped after January 6 and voted to accept votes certified by states
Trump has been rolling out nominations during the transition
Loeffler sold her stake in the Atlanta Dream facing a player revolt over her Black Lives Matter comments
Trump revealed that he withdrew his recent pick for the Drug Enforcement Administration after the nominee unexpectedly dropped out of consideration.
‘I pulled him out,’ Trump stated, referring to Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, who faced controversy for arresting a pastor for holding church services during the COVID pandemic.
Trump was also dealing with reports regarding his Defense Department nominee, Pete Hegseth, who was being accused of alcohol abuse and sexual harassment. Hegseth, following Trump’s advice, was fighting to keep his nomination.
The two men were scheduled to meet at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday. In addition, Trump announced he would nominate former Representative Billy Long to serve as IRS Commissioner.
‘I have known Billy since 2011 — He is an extremely hard worker and respected by all, especially by those who know him in Congress,’ Trump wrote. ‘Taxpayers and the wonderful employees of the IRS will love having Billy at the helm.’
‘I’m very honored and excited!!!’ posted Long, a former auctioneer.
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