Trump appoints Guilfoyle, Barrack, key diplomatic policy posts

President-elect Donald Trump unveiled a series of high-profile appointments Tuesday night, including Kimberly Guilfoyle as ambassador to Greece and Tom Barrack as ambassador to Turkey.

The announcements, shared on Trump’s Truth Social account, highlight key figures with longstanding personal and professional ties to the president-elect.

Trump praised Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and prominent fundraiser, calling her “a close friend and ally” with exceptional leadership qualities. “Kimberly is perfectly suited to foster strong bilateral relations with Greece, advancing our interests on issues ranging from defense cooperation to trade and economic innovation,” he wrote. Guilfoyle, currently in a relationship with Donald Trump Jr., marks a continuation of Trump’s pattern of tapping trusted allies for major roles.

Barrack, a real estate investor and chairman of Trump’s 2016 inaugural committee, was appointed ambassador to Turkey despite past controversies. Acquitted in 2022 of charges alleging he illegally lobbied for the UAE, Barrack has remained a polarizing figure. Trump defended him following the acquittal, stating, “Great news for our Country, Freedom, and Democracy.” Despite their friendship, Barrack previously criticized Trump during his trial, describing his political support as “disastrous” and joking that Trump “could not spell the Middle East.” In announcing Barrack’s new role, Trump called him “a well-respected and experienced voice of reason.”

Other appointments focused on policy and governance, with Andrew Ferguson named chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Mark Meador appointed as a commissioner. Trump lauded Ferguson for his efforts to curb “Big Tech censorship,” calling him “the most America First, pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Ferguson is set to take office on April 2, 2024.

At the Office of Management and Budget, Congressman Dan Bishop was named deputy director, while Ed Martin was appointed chief of staff. Trump praised Bishop’s dedication to the MAGA movement, vowing he would “root out the Weaponized Deep State.” Martin was described as “a winner who will help Make America Great Again!”

Jacob Helberg, a prominent tech executive and advocate against Chinese influence, was appointed undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment. Trump said Helberg would champion an “America First Foreign Policy” and ensure U.S. economic and technological dominance abroad. Known for his criticism of TikTok, Helberg has called it a “Chinese weapon of war” and authored The Wires of War, which explores tech-driven geopolitical conflict. Despite prior fundraising ties to Trump’s rivals, Helberg has become a staunch supporter of the president-elect, contributing heavily to Trump’s political action committees.

With these appointments, Trump has signaled a mix of loyalty and expertise, shaping his administration to reflect his priorities on foreign policy, economic security, and technological competition.