The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate has confirmed three of President Donald Trump’s ambassadorial nominees, sending Warren Stephens to the United Kingdom, Tom Barrack to Turkey, and Tilman Fertitta to Italy. Stephens, approved 59–39, is an investment banker from Arkansas whose political donations shifted from opposing Trump in 2016 to strongly supporting him in later cycles, including a $3 million contribution to MAGA Inc. Trump praised Stephens as the right choice to strengthen U.S. ties with one of its closest allies.
Barrack, a longtime Trump confidant and private equity executive, was confirmed 60–36. He has known Trump since the 1980s, advised his 2016 campaign, and chaired the 2017 inauguration committee. Barrack was previously accused by the Department of Justice of acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the UAE, charges he denied before being acquitted in 2022. Fertitta, the billionaire CEO of Landry’s and owner of the Houston Rockets, was confirmed 83–14 to serve as ambassador to Italy.
These approvals are part of a broader Republican effort to quickly clear a backlog of Trump nominees. After changing Senate rules to allow most executive nominations to be voted on in large groups, the GOP confirmed more than 100 nominees at once—a major win for Trump as he continues filling key posts amid intense partisan conflict.