When Donald J. Trump, President‑elect of the United States, posted to his Truth Social feed from Palm Beach, Florida on December 16, 2024, he rolled out a fresh slate of ambassadors — all drawn from the private sector.
Here's the thing: the five nominees are not career diplomats. They are CEOs, a former CIA officer, a Broadway producer and an entrepreneur who grew up in Montevideo. The administration’s messaging leans heavily on the America First mantra, arguing that business savvy will translate into stronger bilateral ties.
Background on the Nominees
First up is George Edward Glass, 64, a Portland‑based investment banker who already knows the diplomatic ropes from his stint as U.S. Ambassador to Portugal (July 2, 2018 – January 20, 2021). Glass earned his degree at the University of Oregon, served as alumni president, and later ran Glass Capital Partners until 2017.
Next, Leah Francis Campos, 52, brings a blend of intelligence‑community experience and legislative know‑how. From 1998 to 2008 she was a CIA case officer, then shifted to the House Foreign Affairs Committee as senior advisor for the Western Hemisphere (2011‑2017). Campos also happens to be the sister of Fox News host Rachel Campos‑Duffy.
In the middle of the list is Arthur Graham Fisher, 68, a North Carolina real‑estate mogul. Fisher founded Fisher Realty in 1977, growing it to three offices in the Blue Ridge Mountains and becoming a top‑ranking broker in the state. He’s also a longtime donor to Trump’s campaigns, having given more than $1.2 million since 2015.
Then there’s Lou Rinaldi, 59, a Miami‑based investor who co‑founded Rinaldi Holdings LLC, which manages about $427 million in assets as of Q3 2024. Born in Montevideo on March 17, 1965, Rinaldi moved to the U.S. at 18 and kept close ties to his homeland.
Finally, Stacey Feinberg, 48, spent a decade at her father’s sports‑and‑entertainment law firm before producing Broadway hits like “The Band’s Visit” and “Flying Over Sunset.” She was also a national finance co‑chair for Trump’s 2024 campaign, pulling in $3.7 million from 875 donors.
Details of Each Nomination
The nominations were filed with the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on March 24, 2025, each bearing a docket number: PN1785 for Japan (Glass), PN1784 for the Dominican Republic (Campos), PN1786 for Austria (Fisher), PN1787 for Luxembourg (Feinberg) and PN1788 for Uruguay (Rinaldi). As of October 10, 2025, none of the hearings have been scheduled.
- Japan: Glass is expected to leverage his banking background to promote U.S. investment in high‑tech sectors and deepen security cooperation amid regional tensions.
- Dominican Republic: Campos’s CIA pedigree may steer a tougher stance on narcotics trafficking while courting tourism dollars.
- Austria: Fisher’s real‑estate expertise could help negotiate better terms for U.S. firms eyeing European markets.
- Luxembourg: Feinberg’s entertainment links might open cultural‑exchange avenues and attract fintech capital.
- Uruguay: Rinaldi’s personal ties to Montevideo could smooth trade talks on agricultural products and renewable energy.
Senate Confirmation Process
Historically, Trump‑appointed ambassadors have faced a mixed bag in the Senate. During his first term, the average wait time was 187 days, with 38 of 57 political appointees confirmed. The current backlog suggests a similar pace, especially given that the Senate is split 50‑50 and the foreign‑relations chair is a Democrat who has signaled a desire for more career‑service nominees.
Opponents argue that the nominees lack diplomatic experience, while supporters claim that fresh eyes can bypass bureaucratic inertia. The fact that all five are classified as “Other (political appointee)” in the American Foreign Service Association’s database fuels the debate.
Political Implications
The selections reinforce Trump’s signature America First approach: prioritize trade, security, and cultural outreach through people who have already made their fortunes in the U.S. economy. Critics worry this could erode the professional diplomatic corps, but the administration counters that private‑sector leaders are accustomed to rapid decision‑making and risk management—skills it deems essential in today’s volatile geopolitical climate.
Turns out the nominations also have a personal flavor. Leah Campos is the sister of a prominent Fox News personality, and Lou Rinaldi’s Uruguayan roots were highlighted in the announcement as a bridge‑builder narrative. Such ties may help the administration spin the appointments as both merit‑based and symbolically resonant.
What Comes Next?
Looking ahead, the Senate will likely schedule hearings in the next few weeks, especially as the 2026 midterm cycle looms and both parties jockey for leverage. If confirmed, the ambassadors are slated to present their credentials by mid‑2026, just in time for the next round of trade talks and security dialogues in their respective regions.
Meanwhile, the White House is already teasing potential policy initiatives: a joint U.S.–Japan venture fund, a new Dominican‑Caribbean anti‑smuggling task force, an Austria‑U.S. tech partnership, a Luxembourg fintech accelerator, and a Uruguay‑U.S. renewable‑energy corridor. Whether those ideas survive the Senate gauntlet remains to be seen.
Background Deep Dive: Ambassadors in the Trump Era
During Trump’s first administration, roughly two‑thirds of ambassadorial posts went to political donors or business allies rather than career diplomats. That strategy drew both praise for injecting fresh perspectives and criticism for sidelining seasoned experts. The pattern resurfaced in the 2024 campaign, where fundraising dollars often translated into ambassadorial consideration.
Historically, the U.S. has alternated between career‑centric and patronage‑heavy appointments. The Jeffersonian ideal of “the citizen‑statesman” once dominated, but modern diplomatic complexities have pushed many administrations toward professional expertise. Trump’s latest slate nudges the pendulum back toward the patronage side, arguing that business acumen is the missing ingredient in today’s global competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Trump choose business leaders over career diplomats?
Trump argues that private‑sector executives bring a results‑driven mindset, faster decision‑making and a network of contacts that can boost trade and security ties—key goals of his America First agenda.
What are the chances the Senate will confirm these nominees?
Historical averages suggest a 60‑70% likelihood, but the evenly split Senate and the upcoming midterms could make the process more politicized, potentially delaying or derailing some appointments.
How might George Glass’s banking background affect U.S.–Japan relations?
Glass is expected to push for greater American investment in Japan’s tech sector, leveraging his network to open doors for U.S. firms while also supporting joint security initiatives in the Indo‑Pacific.
What impact could Leah Campos have on the Dominican Republic’s drug‑trafficking fight?
Her CIA experience equips her to coordinate more closely with Dominican law‑enforcement agencies, potentially leading to tighter intelligence sharing and joint operations against cartels.
Is Lou Rinaldi’s Uruguayan heritage significant for diplomatic ties?
Rinaldi’s personal connection may smooth cultural misunderstandings and help negotiate trade deals, especially in agriculture and renewable‑energy sectors where Uruguay is looking for U.S. partners.
Ankit Intodia
October 11, 2025 AT 00:21Trump's latest ambassadorial picks read like a who's‑who of corporate boardrooms, and that in itself is a statement about how he views diplomacy. In a world where soft power matters, swapping seasoned career diplomats for CEOs may sound like a gamble, but it also reflects a belief that business acumen translates into geopolitical clout. The irony is that many of these nominees have already navigated government corridors in fundraising, if not in policy. Still, the real test will be whether their private‑sector instincts can adapt to the slower, consensus‑driven rhythm of foreign ministries. I’m curious to see how much this America‑First mantra will reshape the diplomatic playbook.
Aaditya Srivastava
October 14, 2025 AT 22:26Totally agree that the business‑first angle could shake things up. It’ll be interesting to watch the Senate’s reaction.
Vaibhav Kashav
October 18, 2025 AT 18:06Because nothing says “expert diplomat” like a hedge‑fund portfolio.
kuldeep singh
October 22, 2025 AT 13:46Look, this is classic Trump – rewarding loyalty and cash over competence. The drama is already sizzling, and the Senate will love the fireworks. It’s a risky move; you can’t just hand a trade deal to a guy who closed a merger last year and expect him to navigate centuries‑old alliances. Yet the narrative he’s pushing – that private‑sector efficiency will cut through bureaucratic red tape – is undeniably appealing to his base. If it blows up, it’ll be a spectacular reminder of why career diplomats exist.
Shweta Tiwari
October 26, 2025 AT 09:26i see your point but also think that such appointments could bring fresh perspectives, especially in trade negotiations where market knowledge matters. in any case it’s a delicate balance, because diplomatic nuance isn’t exactly the same as closing a deal on the stock exchange. i’m still waiting to see if these nominees have the cultural sensitivity required for places like japan or austria. nonetheless the administration’s boldness is either a masterstroke or a pronouncement of recklessness – depends on the lens you look through. let’s hope the confirmation hearings shed more light.
anjaly raveendran
October 30, 2025 AT 05:06The pattern here is unmistakable: political patronage has once again taken center stage. While it’s true that a business mindset can inject speed into decision‑making, diplomacy is fundamentally about relationship‑building and long‑term strategy, not quarterly earnings. Moreover, many of these nominees have sizable campaign contributions, blurring the line between merit and reward. If the Senate pushes back, it could become a proxy battle over the future of the foreign service itself. Still, the president’s confidence in private‑sector talent reflects his broader agenda of reshaping government through market principles.
harshit malhotra
November 3, 2025 AT 00:46First off, let’s be blunt: the Senate is not going to rubber‑stamp these names without a fight. The history books are full of examples where politically appointed ambassadors floundered because they lacked the cultural fluency to navigate local sensibilities, and the same story is likely to repeat here. Take George Glass, for instance – a banker who might understand capital flows but probably has never set foot in a Japanese tea ceremony, let alone grasp the subtleties of regional security dynamics. Leah Campos’ CIA background could be an asset, yet it also raises concerns about an overly militarized approach to diplomatic outreach. Arthur Fisher’s real‑estate empire shows he can close deals, but real estate is a far cry from negotiating multilateral trade agreements. Lou Rinaldi’s personal ties to Uruguay are indeed a novelty, but personal connections alone won't hammer out renewable‑energy accords without technical expertise. Stacey Feinberg’s Broadway résumé is impressive, but the world stage of diplomacy demands a different kind of performance. The Senate will likely dissect each dossier, probing conflicts of interest, past statements, and any hint of quid‑pro‑quo. Moreover, the evenly split Senate makes every nomination a bargaining chip for the upcoming 2026 midterms. Republicans will push through whatever they can, while Democrats will champion career diplomats as a counterweight. Public hearings will become a media circus, with pundits dissecting every word spoken. If any of these nominees stumble during questioning, their chances evaporate faster than a meme on a trending hashtag. In short, the path to confirmation is littered with political landmines, and only those who can convincingly argue that their business acumen translates into diplomatic efficacy will survive.
Chandan kumar
November 6, 2025 AT 20:26Honestly, this looks like a giveaway to donors. The whole thing feels over‑hyped.
Swapnil Kapoor
November 10, 2025 AT 16:06That’s a fair observation, but let’s consider the upside: a business leader might cut through red tape faster than a career diplomat bogged down by protocol. Still, the risk of lacking diplomatic nuance is real, and the Senate will be scrutinizing every angle. It’ll be interesting to see which nominees manage to convince the committee that their private‑sector experience is a net positive.
priyanka Prakash
November 14, 2025 AT 11:46We must defend our nation’s interests by placing people who understand economic power. Anything less is a betrayal.