Trump appoints investment banker Warren Stephens as UK ambassador
- Chethana Janith
- Dec 4, 2024
- 2 min read
Chethana Janith, Jadetimes Staff
C. Janith is a Jadetimes news reporter covering science and geopolitics.
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated businessman Warren Stephens to be the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom.
“Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time,” Trump said in a statement. “I am excited that he will now have that opportunity as the top diplomat, representing the USA to one of America’s most important allies.”
Stephens, who is the CEO of the Arkansas-based investment bank Stephens Inc., contributed millions to Trump’s re-election campaign this year.
If his nomination is confirmed, Stephens will play a key role in maintaining the strong relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.
The United States and the United Kingdom share strong military, intelligence, and cultural ties.
Trump has pledged to reshape America's foreign relationships, emphasizing an “America-first” approach to diplomacy.
The position of US ambassador to the UK is highly sought after, and presidents often appoint key supporters to the role.
During his first term, Trump named Woody Johnson, a major Republican donor and owner of the New York Jets, as ambassador to the UK.
Barack Obama appointed Louis Susman, a longtime Democratic fundraiser and lawyer, as his ambassador to the UK.
However, Stephens did not always support Trump. In 2016, he donated approximately $4 million to political groups aiming to prevent Trump’s rise to the presidency, according to reports at the time.
He also donated over $2 million to a political action committee backing former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley during her unsuccessful 2024 presidential bid, as reported by the campaign finance watchdog OpenSecrets.
When Trump secured the Republican nomination this year, Stephens changed his stance and supported him, contributing to various Republican groups and Senate candidates, according to federal campaign finance data.
In a statement, Stephens expressed his honor at the nomination.
"I have conveyed to President Trump that I would be deeply proud to serve our country and his administration, working to implement the President’s agenda and further strengthen the long-standing alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom,” he said.
Stephens and his wife also run a philanthropic organization, the Harriet and Warren Stephens Family Foundation.
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