President Trump is stacking the diplomatic deck with a few familiar aces. And this time, they’re not just your run-of-the-mill political retreads or Ivy League ladder climbers.
Nope. This time it’s billionaires, business titans, and unapologetic capitalists. Or, as Democrats might call them, “the end of democracy.” But for the rest of us, especially those who still appreciate a little thing called competence, these picks are a breath of fresh air in the stale corridors of Foggy Bottom.
Let’s start with Tilman Fertitta—NBA owner, restaurant mogul, reality TV star, and, now, U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino. If you thought diplomacy was just for slick-talking bureaucrats in pinstripes, think again. Fertitta is a guy who actually knows how to manage things. He’s built an empire, runs a global brand, and employs thousands. But according to the left, what matters most is that he’s been seen in the same room as Donald Trump. Gasp.
Back in 2018, Fertitta told CNBC Trump was doing a “fantastic job for the economy.” Can you imagine? How dare he recognize record-low unemployment and a soaring stock market before COVID derailed everything? The horror! Clearly that qualifies as grounds for exile by MSNBC—but in Trump World, that’s exactly the kind of pragmatism we need in places like Italy, where economic turbulence and political chaos go together like pasta and parmesan.
And then there’s Tom Barrack. The left loves to hate him, but here’s a man who actually understands the region he’s headed to—Turkey. He speaks Arabic, for one. That alone already makes him 10 steps ahead of the usual DC swamp creatures who think Ankara is a Mediterranean dish. Plus, Barrack cut his teeth during the Reagan administration—back when foreign policy had a spine and America didn’t apologize for existing.
Of course, critics are wringing their hands about his “friendship” with Trump, as if diplomacy has ever not involved personal relationships. I mean, does anyone actually believe Barack Obama picked ambassadors purely on resume? Please. The man turned diplomatic posts into retirement gigs for donors and bundlers. But Trump appoints someone who knows energy markets in the Middle East and suddenly it’s “cronyism.” Right.
Now let’s talk about Warren Stephens, confirmed for the UK and Northern Ireland. This guy is pure Southern conservative royalty—banking, football (well, soccer, if we’re being proper Americans), and a solid record of Republican giving. He’s backed names like Mitt Romney, Bob Dole, and even Steve Forbes. That’s not just a resume; that’s a living GOP museum. And yet, some on the left still manage to raise eyebrows about his “qualifications.”
Let me spell it out for them: running a financial institution that operates globally and navigating high-level business and political networks isn’t just “relevant experience,” it’s about as close to a real-world MBA in diplomacy as you’re going to get. Plus, the man loves the Tottenham Hotspurs—so he’s already emotionally prepared for crushing disappointment. That’s practically a requirement for dealing with the UK’s Parliament.
Here’s the kicker: all three of these men were confirmed—by the Senate. Fertitta passed 83-14. Barrack made it through with 60-36. And Stephens wasn’t far behind at 59-39. So for all the screeching from the usual suspects on social media, even Senate Democrats couldn’t bring themselves to torpedo these nominations. That tells you everything you need to know.
82-15: Senate confirmed Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets and CEO of Landry’s Restaurants group, to be U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino for the second Trump Administration. pic.twitter.com/jb6697alf3
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) April 30, 2025
In an era where resume padding and political correctness have replaced real qualifications, Trump is sending a message: results matter. Experience matters. And yes, loyalty matters. That’s not cronyism—that’s leadership. Maybe the other side should try it sometime.
