Trump to Appoint Arkansas Businessman as UK Ambassador, Sparking Debate
Trump to Make a Symbolic Move with “Top Diplomat” Pick
00:00: US President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to appoint billionaire businessman Warren Stephens as the ambassador to Great Britain. Describing Stephens as “one of the most successful businessmen in the country,” Trump stated, “I am very pleased that he now has the opportunity to represent the United States as a top diplomat to one of America’s most important and beloved allies.”
Stephens, a 67-year-old businessman who heads a family-run investment bank in Arkansas, was initially a staunch opponent of Trump during the 2016 Republican primaries. However, like many others, he ultimately decided to support Trump’s candidacy.
According to reports, STEPHENS made donations to Nikki Haley during the primaries, when she was competing for the Republican nomination. Haley eventually withdrew from the race following heavy defeats, paving the way for Tpmp’s nominaton.
Stephens will need confirmation from the Senate before assuming the prestigious diplomatic role.
Trump to Attend Notre Dame Reopening, First Foreign Trip Since Election
3 a.m.: US President-elect Donald Trump
is set to travel to Paris for the ceremonial reopening of the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral. This marks Trump’s first trip abroad since winning the presidential election earlier this month.
“President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre-Dame is restored to its full glory and even more,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, the platform he co-founded. He added that it was an “honor” to be
part of the reopening celebration.
CNN reported that Macron had invited Trump. Discussions surrounding the details of the visit have been ongoing for the past few days.
The over 850-year-old Gothic masterpiece, located in the heart of Paris, sustained severe damage in a major fire in April 2019. December 7th marks its official reopening.
Biden Pardons Son Hunter, Sparking Criticism From Trump
1.40 a.m.: US President Joe Biden granted his son Hunter Biden a pardon before a sentencing hearing. In a statement, Biden explained that, after much consideration, he decided to intervene.
“I hope Americans understand why a father and a president had to make this decision,” Biden wrote.
12:02 p.m.: US President-elect Donald Trump has publicly criticized President Biden’s pardon of Hunter Biden, characterizing it as an “abuse and failure of justice.” Trump took to his platform, Truth Social, to draw parallels between the pardon and the January 6th Capitol riot, where many of his supporters were subsequently sentenced to prison. He referred to them as “hostages.”
He questioned, “Does the pardon granted by Joe Hunter include the January 6 hostages (literally, ‘J-6 Hostages’) who have now been in prison for years? What an abuse and failure of justice,”
Trump himself pardoned several close associates during his final days in office in 2021. The list included real estate entrepreneur Charles Kushner, father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Others on the list included Paul Manafort, the former head of Trump’s campaign, and longtime confidante Roger Stone.
What percentage of Trump’s ambassador appointees were male as of October 2018? [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ambassadors_appointed_by_Donald_Trump)]
## Alex Reed Interview: Trump’s Diplomatic Appointments Raise Eyebrows
**Host:** Welcome back to the program. We’re discussing the latest appointments coming out of the Trump transition team, and they’re certainly raising some eyebrows. Joining us now is Dr. Emily Carter, a veteran political commentator and expert on international relations. Dr. Carter, thanks for being here.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** So, let’s talk about this new ambassador to the UK. President-Elect Trump has chosen billionaire businessman Warren Stephens. Many are surprised by this choice, given Stephens initially backed another candidate during the primaries. What are your thoughts on this appointment?
**Dr. Carter:** It certainly is a surprising pick. Stephens is a successful businessman with no prior diplomatic experience. This move seems to be in line with Trump’s tendency to appoint individuals from the business world to key positions. It remains to be seen whether Stephens has the skills and experience needed to navigate the complexities of Anglo-American relations.
**Host:** Stephens’ background as a donor to Nikki Haley during the primaries has also sparked some discussion. Do you think this prior political affiliation will affect his ability to represent the Trump administration effectively?
**Dr. Carter:** That’s a valid point. It’s important to consider how Stephens will balance his previous political allegiances with the priorities of the Trump administration. The Senate confirmation process will be crucial in determining whether he can convincingly articulate his suitability for the role and address any potential conflicts of interest.
**Host:** On a separate note, president-elect Trump also announced he’ll be attending the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, his first foreign trip since the election. What signal do you think this sends?
**Dr. Carter:** This trip offers an opportunity for Trump to project a more statesmanlike image on the global stage. By attending such a symbolic event, he can demonstrate a willingness to engage with international partners
and perhaps even attempt to mend some of the strained relationships that characterized his campaign. However, it remains to be seen whether this gesture will translate into meaningful policy changes.
**Host:** Thank you for your insightful analysis, Dr. Carter. It’s certainly going to be an interesting few months as the Trump administration takes shape.
**Dr. Carter:** My pleasure.
