Senate Confirms Trump’s Billionaire Ambassadors to Key Allies as President’s Approval Ratings Rise

In a significant advancement for President Donald Trump’s diplomatic agenda, the Republican-controlled Senate approved three high-profile ambassadorial appointments on Tuesday, filling key diplomatic posts in the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Italy. The confirmations place three billionaire businessmen—all substantial Trump donors and allies—in crucial diplomatic positions representing American interests with key NATO allies and strategic partners. The Senate actions come as new polling shows a notable rise in the president’s approval ratings, despite recent controversy surrounding his aggressive trade policies.

Wealthy Businessmen Ascend to Prestigious Diplomatic Posts

The Senate votes on Tuesday revealed continued partisan divisions over presidential appointments, though each nominee secured at least some Democratic support, allowing them to clear the chamber comfortably.

Warren Stephens: Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland

Investment banker Warren Stephens of Arkansas was confirmed as Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland in a 59-39 vote, the narrowest margin among Tuesday’s confirmations. Stephens, who until January served as President and CEO of Little Rock-based investment banking firm Stephens Inc., brings substantial business experience to what is traditionally considered one of America’s most prestigious diplomatic posts.

Arkansas Republican Senator Tom Cotton spoke forcefully in support of his fellow Arkansan during floor debate, describing Stephens as a “family man, businessman, philanthropist, and patriot” who is “the right person to lead our strong, special relationship with the United Kingdom.”

Stephens’ confirmation comes at a particularly consequential moment for U.S.-UK relations. Britain continues to navigate its post-Brexit relationship with the European Union while simultaneously seeking to strengthen trade and security ties with the United States. The new ambassador will also arrive as the UK prepares for its own upcoming general election, which polls suggest could bring a change in government.

Interestingly, Federal Election Commission records reveal Stephens’ complicated political journey with Trump. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Stephens donated $1 million to “Our Principles PAC,” an organization explicitly formed to oppose Trump’s candidacy. However, his position evolved during Trump’s first term, with Stephens eventually becoming a significant financial supporter. In 2024, he contributed $3 million to MAGA Inc., the primary Super PAC supporting Trump’s successful return to the presidency.

When announcing the nomination in December, Trump highlighted Stephens’ long-held aspirations for public service, stating: “Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time. I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the U.S.A. to one of America’s most cherished and beloved Allies.”

Tom Barrack: Ambassador to Turkey

Private equity executive Tom Barrack secured confirmation as Ambassador to Turkey in a slightly more comfortable 60-36 vote. Barrack, a longtime Trump ally whose friendship with the president dates back to the 1980s, brings substantial international business experience to a diplomatic post that requires navigating complex regional dynamics.

Barrack’s extensive business background includes establishing the private equity firm Colony Capital after previously serving in the Reagan administration. His relationship with Trump has spanned decades, culminating in his role advising Trump’s 2016 campaign and subsequently leading the president’s 2017 inauguration committee.

“For three decades, Tom successfully managed a global private equity firm,” Trump said when announcing Barrack’s nomination on Truth Social in December. “He is a well-respected and experienced voice of reason to a wide range of thought leaders in both political and business circles.”

Barrack’s confirmation comes despite a notable legal challenge during his career. In July 2021, the Department of Justice brought charges against him, alleging he worked as an unregistered foreign agent for the United Arab Emirates. Barrack consistently denied these allegations and was ultimately acquitted in November 2022 after a high-profile trial.

The new ambassador’s assignment to Turkey represents a particularly challenging diplomatic posting. Turkey, while a NATO ally, has maintained complicated relationships with both the United States and Russia under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership. Recent years have seen tensions over Turkey’s purchase of Russian weapons systems, disagreements over policy toward Syria and Kurdish forces, and concerns about democratic backsliding within Turkey itself.

Tilman Fertitta: Ambassador to Italy

Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta received the strongest bipartisan support among Tuesday’s confirmations, with the Senate approving his appointment as Ambassador to Italy in an overwhelming 83-14 vote. Fertitta, CEO of hospitality corporation Landry’s and owner of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, brings extensive business experience in the hospitality and entertainment industries to his new diplomatic role.

“Tilman is an accomplished businessman who has founded and built one of our Country’s premier entertainment and real estate companies, employing approximately 50,000 Americans,” Trump said when announcing Fertitta’s nomination in December.

Fertitta’s Landry’s corporation operates numerous restaurants, hotels, casinos, and entertainment venues across the United States. His business empire includes well-known restaurant chains such as Morton’s The Steakhouse, Rainforest Cafe, and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., along with the Golden Nugget casinos.

The new ambassador will represent American interests in Italy during a period of economic and political challenges for the European nation. Italy continues to navigate complex relationships within the European Union while addressing significant public debt, immigration pressures, and political fragmentation. As the third-largest economy in the eurozone and a G7 member, Italy remains a crucial economic and security partner for the United States.

Financial Power and Political Access

The confirmation of these three billionaires to prestigious ambassadorial posts continues a long-standing American tradition of rewarding significant political donors with diplomatic appointments, a practice employed by presidents of both parties. Critics argue this system prioritizes wealth and political connections over diplomatic experience, while defenders suggest successful business leaders bring valuable real-world negotiation skills and management experience to diplomatic roles.

All three newly confirmed ambassadors have demonstrated substantial financial support for Trump and Republican causes. Beyond Stephens’ $3 million contribution to MAGA Inc. during the 2024 campaign, Barrack and Fertitta have been significant donors to Republican campaigns and political action committees.

Fertitta’s political contributions have included substantial donations to Republican candidates across multiple election cycles, though he has occasionally supported Democrats as well. Barrack’s financial support for Trump dates back to the 2016 campaign, when he helped raise significant funds for Trump’s first presidential bid.

The pattern of appointing wealthy donors to ambassadorial positions reflects what some observers describe as a “pay-to-play” dynamic in American diplomacy. While career Foreign Service officers typically fill many diplomatic posts, particularly in challenging or dangerous regions, prestigious assignments in Western Europe and other stable, developed nations have traditionally been reserved for political appointees with close ties to the president.

Rising Presidential Approval Despite Trade Controversies

The Senate’s confirmation of these ambassadorial appointments comes as President Trump experiences a notable increase in his approval ratings, despite—or perhaps partly because of—his recent controversial trade policies. According to a new poll conducted by J.L. Partners in collaboration with the Daily Mail, Trump’s approval rating has risen to 53 percent, a four-point improvement from the previous week’s 49 percent.

This polling suggests that Trump’s aggressive approach to international trade, including the implementation of sweeping tariffs against dozens of trading partners announced on April 2, has not damaged his standing with the American public. The tariffs, which target Chinese goods as well as imports from allies such as Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, have drawn criticism from traditional free-trade advocates, including many establishment Republicans, mainstream media outlets, and Democratic politicians.

However, the poll indicates that Trump’s economic nationalism may be resonating with key demographic groups. His favorability rating among voters aged 18 to 29 has improved by 13 points since early March, building on the significant gains he made with younger voters in the November 2024 election. The poll also shows a six-point increase in the president’s approval among registered Democrats and independents, and a striking 17-point increase among Black voters compared to the previous week’s survey.

These demographic shifts suggest Trump may be expanding his coalition beyond his traditional base, potentially creating a more durable political majority as he implements his second-term agenda. The rising approval among younger voters is particularly notable given traditional Republican struggles with this demographic in previous election cycles.

Nearly 100 days into his presidency, Trump appears to be gaining political momentum despite—or perhaps because of—his willingness to pursue controversial policies that break with conventional political wisdom. Business leaders, particularly employers and job board executives, have expressed optimism about the economic direction under Trump, saying they believe the economy “can win now,” even while acknowledging it hasn’t “started to win yet.”

Diplomatic Challenges Ahead

The newly confirmed ambassadors will face significant challenges as they assume their roles representing American interests abroad. Each posting involves complex bilateral relationships affected by regional dynamics, economic interdependence, and security concerns.

United Kingdom: Post-Brexit Realignment

Ambassador Stephens arrives in London as the UK continues navigating its post-Brexit relationship with Europe while seeking stronger ties with the United States. The Biden administration had sometimes appeared skeptical of Brexit and cautious about undermining the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland through new trade arrangements. Trump, by contrast, has been an enthusiastic supporter of Brexit and has promised a comprehensive U.S.-UK trade deal.

Stephens will need to balance Trump’s desire for a rapid trade agreement with the complex realities of U.S.-UK-EU economic interdependence. He will also need to manage security cooperation within NATO amid evolving threats from Russia and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Turkey: Strategic Complexity in Ankara

Ambassador Barrack faces perhaps the most diplomatically complex assignment among the three confirmations. Turkey’s strategic location—bridging Europe and Asia while bordering Syria, Iraq, and Iran—makes it a crucial but sometimes difficult partner for the United States.

President Erdoğan has pursued an increasingly independent foreign policy in recent years, maintaining relationships with both NATO allies and Russia while asserting Turkish influence across the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. Points of tension in the U.S.-Turkey relationship have included Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems (resulting in Turkey’s removal from the F-35 fighter program), disagreements over U.S. support for Kurdish forces in Syria, and concerns about democratic backsliding within Turkey.

Barrack’s business experience in the Middle East may provide useful perspective, but navigating these complex issues will require substantial diplomatic skill beyond typical business negotiations.

Italy: Economic Partners Amid European Challenges

Ambassador Fertitta will represent American interests in Italy as the European nation navigates internal political divisions and broader European challenges related to migration, economic growth, and security. Italy’s position as a founding member of the European Union and a G7 economy makes it an important partner for American economic and security interests in Europe.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government has sometimes aligned with Trump’s perspectives on immigration and nationalism, potentially creating opportunities for closer bilateral cooperation. However, Italy’s deep integration within the European Union means that U.S.-Italian relations cannot be separated from broader U.S.-EU dynamics, particularly regarding trade policies and sanctions coordination.

Bipartisanship Amid Polarization

While the Senate votes on these ambassadorial appointments largely followed partisan lines, the presence of Democratic support for all three nominees—particularly the strong bipartisan backing for Fertitta—suggests areas where cooperation remains possible in an otherwise polarized political environment.

Foreign policy and diplomatic appointments have traditionally been areas where a certain degree of bipartisanship prevails, reflecting a shared understanding that America’s international relationships transcend domestic political divisions. The willingness of some Democratic senators to support Trump’s nominees, despite the partisan environment, suggests this tradition maintains some resilience.

The Road Ahead

As these newly confirmed ambassadors prepare to assume their posts, they will join a diplomatic corps navigating a rapidly changing international landscape. The Trump administration’s “America First” approach to foreign policy, with its emphasis on bilateral relationships, trade reciprocity, and military burden-sharing, represents a significant departure from traditional post-Cold War American diplomacy.

The ambassadors will need to effectively communicate this vision to their host countries while maintaining productive bilateral relationships. Their business backgrounds may prove valuable in understanding economic interdependence and negotiating commercial arrangements, but the full range of diplomatic responsibilities extends well beyond business relationships to encompass security cooperation, cultural exchange, consular services, and crisis management.

For Stephens, Barrack, and Fertitta, the transition from the boardroom to the embassy will test their ability to adapt their business acumen to the unique challenges of international diplomacy. Their success or failure will have significant implications not only for America’s relationships with key allies but also for the ongoing debate about the proper qualifications for diplomatic appointments in the American system.

As the administration approaches its 100-day mark, these confirmations represent important progress in establishing Trump’s foreign policy team and implementing his diplomatic vision. Whether that vision ultimately strengthens America’s international position or creates new challenges in these crucial bilateral relationships remains to be seen, but Tuesday’s Senate votes ensure that these three billionaire businessmen will play central roles in that unfolding story.