U.S President-elect Donald Trump has nominated businessman Warren Stephens to serve as America’s ambassador to the United Kingdom.
According to Trump via a statement on Truth Social, he was thrilled that he “will now have that opportunity as the top diplomat, representing the USA to one of America’s most cherished and beloved allies.”
“Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time.” He added.
Stephens, the CEO of private Arkansas-based investment bank Stephens Inc, had donated millions if dollars to ensure Trump’s re-election this year.
If the nomination is successful, Stephens will help to maintain the alleged “special relationship” between the US and the UK so the two countries continue to maintain close military, intelligence, and cultural ties.
This is as Tump has promised to rework the US’ relationships abroad, with a vow to implement an “America-first” ethos to foreign policy.
The US ambassador to the UK appointment is one of the most coveted diplomatic positions, and presidents have been known to bestow the role to notable supporters.
For his first term in office, Trump appointed Woody Johnson, a top Republican donor and owner of the American football team– the New York Jets, as UK ambassador.
Barack Obama on the other hand chose long-time Democratic Party fundraiser and lawyer, Louis Susman as his first emissary to the UK – or the Court of St James.
Stephens had not always supported Trump’s candidacies. In 2016, when Trump first ran for president, Stephens gave out an estimated $4m (£3.1m) to political groups looking to stop Trump’s ascent, according to a report by the the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette at the time.
The investment banker additionally donated over $2m to a political action committee that supported former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley as she unsuccessfully ran for president in 2024, OpenSecrets revealed.
When Trump eventually triumphed in this year’s Republican presidential primary, however, Stephens made a turn around and threw his support behind him, with federal campaign finance data revealing that he also donated to Republican groups and US Senate candidates this year.
In a statement after is nomination, Stephens said he was honoured by the nomination.
“I have expressed to President Trump that I would be extremely proud to serve our country and his administration, working to implement the President’s agenda and further strengthen the long-standing alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom,” he remarked.
