A senior aide to President-elect Trump is reportedly advising his Cabinet nominees to refrain from posting on social media ahead of Senate confirmation hearings, as Trump’s team works to avoid potential controversies.
Incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles sent a memo, first reported by The New York Post, instructing all of Trump’s nominees to seek approval from incoming White House counsel David Warrington before making any public social media posts.
“Although this directive has been given before, I am reminding everyone that no member of the incoming administration or transition speaks for the United States or the President-elect,” Wiles wrote in the memo.
Trump’s transition team spokespersons did not respond to requests for comment on the memo.
The Senate is expected to begin confirmation hearings for some of Trump’s Cabinet picks soon. The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing for Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth on Jan. 14, just six days before Trump’s inauguration.
Since their nominations, most of the nominees have limited their social media posts, with many sharing only updates on meetings with senators to build support. Hegseth, however, posted about fighting for the role after his nomination was threatened due to misconduct allegations.
The memo came days after a public social media dispute among Trump allies over H-1B work visas, involving figures such as Elon Musk and Steve Bannon. Musk, who leads an advisory commission on government spending, has remained active on social media throughout Trump’s transition.
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