Trump's latest pick hiked the net worth of his top advisers to $10 billion

pulse

December 19, 2016 5:59 PM

President-elect Donald Trump's nomination on Monday of Vinnie Viola for secretary of the Army lifted the combined net worth of his top team of officials and advisers to more than $10 billion.

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Some of Trump's wealthiest picks for key positions include Betsy DeVos, his choice for secretary of education worth $5.1 billion, and Wilbur Ross, the nominated secretary of commerce who is worth $2.5 billion.

Additionally, Trump tapped ExonnMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, worth at least $228 million, to be secretary of state. Steve Mnuchin, Trump's pick for Treasury secretary, is worth at least $100 million, according to estimates.

Similarly, Gary Cohn, the former chief operating officer at Goldman Sachs, has been appointed to a cabinet-level position as He had Goldman shares worth around $210 million at the time of his appointment.

The president-elect said he chose super-wealthy people and company executives for key positions, as they would be able to use their experience to negotiate on behalf of Americans.

While campaigning, Trump promised to "drain the swamp" of Washington insiders and lobbyists who he said profited at the expense of hardworking Americans.

His subsequent picks, which include two former Goldman Sachs executives, have raised some eyebrows about his pledge.

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