Washington, August 23 — In a move that has raised both eyebrows and questions globally, former U.S. President Donald Trump has named Sergio Gor, a close political ally and longtime behind-the-scenes operator, as the next U.S. ambassador to India. The announcement, made Friday, reflects Trump’s growing trend of choosing personal loyalists over traditional diplomats for critical global positions.
At just 38, Gor may not be a household name — but in Washington, he’s known as a powerful force within Trump’s inner circle. Originally from Uzbekistan, Gor moved to Malta as a child before settling in the U.S., where he quickly climbed the Republican political ranks. What makes him stand out isn’t deep diplomatic experience, but his fierce loyalty to Trump and a no-nonsense approach to political appointments.
As Director of Presidential Personnel, Gor was responsible for vetting over 4,000 federal appointees — ensuring they aligned closely with Trump’s ideology. Known as an enforcer in political circles, Gor has often been seen as someone who gets things done quietly and ruthlessly.
His nomination comes at a particularly sensitive time in U.S.-India relations. With India deepening its ties with both Russia and China, and Trump’s previous administration pressuring New Delhi with tariff hikes and strategic demands, the ambassadorial role has taken on even greater importance.
Trump, however, remains confident. On his social media platform Truth Social, he declared:
“For the most populous Region in the World, it is important that I have someone I can fully trust to deliver on my Agenda and help us, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Sergio will make an incredible Ambassador.”
Alongside the ambassadorial role, Gor is also expected to act as a special envoy for South and Central Asia — further consolidating Trump’s preference for loyalists in complex international arenas.
Sergio Gor’s past is colorful — from working with Senator Rand Paul, a noted critic of foreign intervention, to publishing books and even spinning records as a part-time wedding DJ. But perhaps most striking is his feud with Elon Musk, who once branded him a “snake” for blocking Musk’s pick to lead NASA.
The political world responded swiftly. Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed Gor’s nomination, praising him as an “excellent representative of America in one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world.”
Despite this endorsement, many experts have expressed concern over the shift away from experienced diplomats. Unlike past ambassadors to India such as Eric Garcetti or the legendary economist John Kenneth Galbraith, Gor lacks a background in international relations or South Asian affairs.
Yet for Trump, experience seems secondary to trust and control. As tensions with China and Russia rise, and as India reasserts its global independence, sending someone so tightly aligned with Trump’s worldview to New Delhi sends a powerful — and polarizing — message.
