Donald Trump said “some of the people I’ve put on to negotiate … are some of the most successful people in the world.” | AP Photo Trump on Cabinet: ‘I want people that made a fortune’ The president-elect used a campaign-style speech to tout his selections during 'thank you' rally in Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Donald Trump on Thursday brushed aside concerns that he had tapped too many super-rich people for his cabinet, saying “I want people that made a fortune!” and boasting that he was “putting together one of the great cabinets that has ever been assembled in the history of our nation.”

In a campaign-style speech at a convention center here, he playfully rejected criticism that his nominees — a group that includes four billionaires with Thursday’s appointment of former wrestling executive Linda McMahon to head the Small Business Administration — are not reflective of the American public.


Seemingly focusing on those who would renegotiate trade deals on behalf of his administration, Trump said “some of the people I’ve put on to negotiate … are some of the most successful people in the world.”

Affecting a mock scolding tone to channel critics, Trump said “one newspaper criticized me: ‘why can’t they have people of modest means?’ Because I want people that made a fortune! Because now they’re negotiating with you, ok?”

And, apparently referring to the prospect that some appointees might forego salaries, he said “These people are giving up fortunes of income in order to make $1 a year. And they’re so proud to do it.”

Though, as he introduced he pick for U.S. Ambassador to China, homestate Gov. Terry Branstad, and touted him as “a very special man,” Trump noted that some of the folks interested in the ambassadorship seemed motivated by the material trappings of the post.

“I can’t tell you how many people wanted that position,” he said. “You know, it’s not so bad. You go over there, you live like a king,” he said. But not Branstad, according to Trump. “He’s not looking to live like a king. He and his beautiful wife came to my office the other day, they’re looking to work on that relationship (with China), because he knows the people. And the leaders in China, for so many years, he knew your current leader years ago, and he said, he will be the ultimate leader, when he was just a young guy.”

Trump’s touting of billionaires came in a speech that had the feel — and many of the same riffs — of his campaign stump speech, though he also recounted his stunning election night victory in state-by-state detail and predicted quick progress on his agenda.

The unorthodox post-election rally here was the third in a series of at least eight planned events billed as a “Thank You” tour, and Trump clearly basked in the adoration of the crowd. He even predicted he would eventually win over a small gaggle of protesters who unfurled a sign and chanted "no Trump, no KKK, no fascism."

Later, he asked supporters: “By the way, are you glad I ran for president?,” answering his own question as the crowd roared. “I think so. It’s a movement.”

The president-elect, who is playing a particularly hands-on role in interviewing and selecting people to build out his administration, regaled the crowd with a highlight reel of sorts of his recent picks.

Saying “we actually have gotten tremendous reviews on the people that we’ve gotten,” Trump touted the qualifications and agendas of some of his more polarizing selections.

Trump noted that his pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, who has been blasted for his rejection of climate science and ties to the fossil fuel industry, “has been met with tremendous applause from the business community.”

The president-elect sounded a deregulatory tone on environmental rules, saying “we are going to end the EPA intrusion into your lives” and promising more domestic energy production. But he also promised, without offering any specifics, to conserve America’s “beautiful” places and protect its environment. “We will also pursue an agenda of conservation, protecting our beautiful natural resources for future Americans – your family, your children and lots of other people,” he said. “We’re going to ensure clean air and clean water for all of our people."

He praised his pick for Defense Secretary – whose confirmation Democrats are promising to drag out — saying “our country has fallen in love with” retired Marine Gen. James Mattis. "In filling my Cabinet, I’m looking for people who fully understand the meaning of service and who are committed to advancing the common good,” Trump said, saying Mattis fits the bill, and adding “He doesn’t lose, he doesn’t lose. We were together last night, he’s a great guy. A general’s general, they call him.”