Sylvester Stallone calls Trump '2nd George Washington' at Mar-a-Lago gala

Florida

Donald Trump celebrated his victory in the 2024 US Presidential elections at a gala held at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida on Thursday night. In his first extended speech as president-elect, Trump spoke about ending the Russia-Ukraine war, his picks for the Cabinet, and his external advisors Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, among other issues.

Legendary actor Sylvester Stallone was also present at the grand America First Policy Institute gala. "Rocky" Stallone spoke to the audience before introducing Trump on stage, calling him "the second George Washington".

"No one could have done what this man has done," Stallone said. "He’s the second George Washington."

In his speech at the gala, Trump lauded the Republican victory. "No one knew we were going to win it the way we did, that was a big one," Trump said.

Notably, Republicans have won enough seats to control the US House, with a few races still uncalled. The party had already won majority control of the Senate and the leaders are already working to confirm his Cabinet picks. 

Trump also announced a few more of his picks in the ministry. He named Doug Burgum, the current governor of North Dakota, as the interior secretary.

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The department is responsible for the management and conservation of most natural resources and federal lands. Burgum had thrown in his hat for the presidential race in 2023, but suspended his campaign by the end of the year.

Trump thanks Musk, Ramaswamy and others

Trump also thanked Argentinian President Javier Milei and House Speaker Mike Johnson in his speech. He told the crowd that Elon Musk, who has been named to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been spending time at his Mar-a-Lago base.

"He likes this place, I just can't get him out of here, he likes this place and I like having him here too," Trump said about Musk.

He also thanked Vivek Ramaswamy and Tulsi Gabbard. While Ramaswamy is also a part of DOGE, Gabbard has been appointed as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

The Russia-Ukraine war also found a mention in his speech, and he said it has "got to stop". He stated that ending the war will be a priority when he assumed power. He said his other priorities include, the Middle East, "cleaning out the corrupt, broken, failing bureaucracies" and ending "child sexual mutilation", without going into details.

He did not say how he would end the war in Ukraine.