Trump nominates Tom Barrack as ambassador to Türkiye

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he has selected Tom Barrack, a prominent businessman with longstanding ties to the Trump family, as the next U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye.

In a statement, Trump praised Barrack for his extensive experience in global private equity, noting, “For three decades, Tom successfully managed a global private equity firm. He is a well-respected and experienced voice of reason to a wide range of thought leaders in both political and business circles.”

Barrack, 77, was born and raised in Southern California. He graduated from the University of Southern California and the University of San Diego School of Law. Known for his close personal and professional relationships with Trump, Barrack chaired the president-elect’s 2017 inaugural committee and served as a key advisor during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

If confirmed by the Senate, Barrack will succeed Jeff Flake, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye from January 2022 to September 2024. Barrack’s appointment comes at a critical moment for U.S.-Türkiye relations, which have been marked by ongoing tensions over various issues.

Among the key points of contention is U.S. support for the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which Ankara views as an extension of the PKK, a designated terrorist organization. Additionally, Türkiye’s acquisition of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system in 2019 led to its removal from the F-35 program and the imposition of U.S. sanctions.

Barrack’s appointment also follows Trump’s relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Trump after his election victory. Erdogan expressed his hope to further strengthen U.S.-Türkiye ties, calling Trump a “friend” and urging him to fulfill promises, including addressing ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine.