Herschel Walker is appointed by Trump as ambassador to the Bahamas.

Donald Trump has appointed former football star and Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker as his ambassador to the Bahamas. The announcement was made on December 17, 2024, via Trump’s Truth Social platform. Trump praised Walker’s extensive work with youth, military personnel, and athletes, highlighting his previous role as co-chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition during Trump’s first administration.

The position of U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas has remained vacant for over a decade due to stalled nominations, and Trump’s decision follows a pattern of appointing loyal allies to significant roles. Walker, a former Heisman Trophy winner, has had ties to Trump dating back to the 1980s, when Trump owned the New Jersey Generals, a team Walker played for in the USFL. Walker’s most recent political bid was in 2022 when he ran for Georgia’s U.S. Senate seat but lost amid scandals.

This appointment aligns with Trump’s broader strategy of filling key roles with individuals who have supported him, as seen with other recent nominations, including Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue.