Trump taps businessman John Phelan for Navy secretary

President-elect Donald Trump announced he is nominating businessman John Phelan to serve as the next Secretary of the Navy.

“John will be a tremendous force for our Naval Servicemembers, and a steadfast leader in advancing my America First vision,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Tuesday. “He will put the business of the US Navy above all else.”

Phelan founded Rugger Management LLC, a private, Florida-based investment company.

He is the co-founder of MSD Capital, the private investment firm for Michael Dell, the CEO of Dell Technologies.

“John’s intelligence and leadership are unmatched. John holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School, and is a truly brilliant guy!” Trump wrote. “His incredible knowledge and experience will elevate lives of the brave Americans who serve our Nation! I look forward to working with him.”

If confirmed by the Senate, Phelan will replace Carlos Del Toro as the head of the Navy.

Del Toro, a Cuban-American entrepreneur, is the second Hispanic American to serve as the Secretary of the Navy.