WASHINGTON, August 23 — In a move that’s both bold and controversial, former US President Donald Trump has named Sergio Gor — a close confidant and political enforcer — as the next American ambassador to India. At just 38 years old, Gor’s appointment signals not just a personnel change but a powerful shift in how Trump wants to handle one of the most strategically significant relationships in the world.
For those unfamiliar, Sergio Gor isn’t your typical diplomat. Born in Soviet-era Uzbekistan and raised in Malta, his background is as global as it is discreet. After immigrating to the United States, Gor climbed the Republican political ladder quickly. From working with libertarian-leaning Senator Rand Paul to becoming Trump’s trusted director of presidential personnel, Gor has been known more for his loyalty than for diplomacy.
He now steps into one of the most delicate diplomatic posts at a time when relations between the US and India are complex — with India holding meetings with Russia and China, and tensions simmering over trade and defense ties. But Trump made his intentions clear: “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,” he wrote on Truth Social.
It’s no secret that Gor has enemies. Among them is tech mogul Elon Musk, who called him a “snake” after a very public fallout. Yet, despite—or perhaps because of—his reputation, Trump believes Gor is the man for the job. He has also tasked him with serving as Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, underscoring just how much faith he places in Gor.
Critics point out that Gor has little experience in foreign policy, with most of his global involvement limited to travel and reshuffling staff within the National Security Council. Still, Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced strong support, calling him “an excellent representative of America.”
This appointment breaks from tradition. While past US presidents — including Joe Biden — have placed experienced diplomats and scholars in New Delhi, Trump’s pick follows his pattern of installing loyalists into key positions. Gor’s predecessor, under Biden, was Eric Garcetti, a former Los Angeles mayor known for his academic interests in Indian culture and languages.
So, who is Sergio Gor, really? A political insider, a loyal Trump soldier, and—according to some—a behind-the-scenes power broker. From fundraising to DJing weddings, his journey has been anything but conventional. Now, his next chapter is a diplomatic one—charged with managing one of America’s most vital relationships, with global stakes higher than ever.
Whether this unconventional choice will bring closer ties or stir more controversy remains to be seen.
