Following an election where podcasts and influencers wielded significant influence, conservatives were quick to claim that traditional media had met its demise.

However, much of it seems to be transitioning into the West Wing.

Donald J. Trump, the president-elect whose ascent was boosted by his reality TV fame, is once again drawing on television as a talent pool for his administration’s key roles.

One of the most recent picks is Dr. Mehmet Oz, the former TV host, who was selected on Tuesday to head Medicare and Medicaid under Mr. Trump’s leadership.

Dr. Oz joins a growing list of appointees from the world of television. Pete Hegseth, known for co-hosting the weekend edition of Fox & Friends, is under consideration to lead the Defense Department, overseeing 1.3 million active-duty troops. Meanwhile, Sean Duffy, a host on Fox Business and a former cast member of MTV’s The Real World, is slated to take charge of the Transportation Department. His wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, who once co-hosted Fox & Friends alongside Hegseth, adds a layer of familiarity to the team.

Mike Huckabee, nominated as ambassador to Israel, hosted a Fox News program for seven years. Tulsi Gabbard, the prospective national intelligence director, was a Fox News contributor until just a few months ago. The nominee for border czar, Tom Homan, also had a regular contributor role at Fox until last week.

At this pace, the second term of a Trump administration may feature even more TV personalities than the first.

“President Trump wants an administration that starts with him and includes a cabinet and senior staff capable of effectively communicating with the public and keeping them informed about their efforts on behalf of the American people,” said Kellyanne Conway, a senior White House counselor during Trump’s first term.

The distinction this time lies in the scale and gravity of the roles being filled by media figures who are better known for their on-screen presence than for their administrative expertise.

Hegseth, whom Trump previously considered for veterans affairs secretary in 2018, has military experience but no background in managing a massive organization like the Defense Department, the largest federal agency. Similarly, Dr. Oz, who hosted a daytime talk show until 2022, is now tasked with overseeing health coverage for over 150 million Americans.

Conway, now a Fox News contributor herself, emphasized that Trump values a “public-facing” team that can communicate clearly. She contrasted this approach with the Biden administration, which she described as spending years claiming Biden is highly skilled behind the scenes, but not showcasing it.

Despite his preference for alternative media during the campaign, Trump remains an avid follower of mainstream cable news and Nielsen ratings.

During his previous term, he appointed CNBC’s Larry Kudlow as chief economic adviser and Heather Nauert from Fox & Friends as a State Department spokesperson. John Bolton, a frequent Fox News commentator, was made national security adviser, though he has recently criticized some of Trump’s current cabinet choices, including Gabbard.

Even Omarosa Manigault Newman, a former Apprentice contestant, briefly held a White House role before leaving amid controversy and later criticizing the administration on Celebrity Big Brother.

The prominence of Fox News-related figures in Trump’s potential administration stands in contrast to his fluctuating relationship with the network. At one point in late 2022 and early 2023, Trump avoided appearing on Fox News entirely, publicly expressing frustration with the channel. Yet, it continues to serve as a recruitment hub for his team.

When Hegseth’s nomination was announced, Laura Ingraham, a veteran Fox News host, expressed surprise while live on-air. “Wow, that’s pretty cool,” she remarked. “Gosh, we’re going to miss him at Fox. But that’s a gain for the country.”