Trump’s New Middle East Envoy
President-elect Donald Trump has selected Morgan Ortagus, a former spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, to serve as deputy special presidential envoy for Middle East peace in his upcoming administration. This appointment comes as Trump seeks to build on his legacy of fostering stability in the Middle East, a region he helped transform with historic agreements like the Abraham Accords.
Trump acknowledged that Ortagus had once been a vocal critic of his leadership. Back in 2016, she openly criticized him during her time as a Fox News contributor, describing certain aspects of his behavior as “disgusting.” However, Trump seems to believe in second chances and has praised Ortagus for her support of his administration’s broader goals.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump remarked, “Early on, Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson. These things usually don’t work out, but she has strong Republican support, and I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing it for them.” He expressed cautious optimism, stating, “Let’s see what happens.”
Ortagus will work under Steven Witkoff, a real estate executive whom Trump appointed as the special envoy to the Middle East in November. Trump expressed confidence in Ortagus’s ability to assist Witkoff, calling her “an asset to Steve, a great leader and talent.” Together, they will aim to continue advancing peace and prosperity in a region that has long been plagued by instability.
In addition to her work in government, Ortagus has a deep commitment to service. She is an officer in the Navy Reserve and previously served at the Department of the Treasury during the Obama administration. From 2019 to 2021, she played a key role in the U.S. State Department as part of Secretary Mike Pompeo’s team, contributing to the success of the Abraham Accords.
Trump also endorsed Ortagus’s 2022 Congressional run, though she was ultimately removed from the ballot by the Tennessee Republican Party due to her recent move to the state.
With her extensive experience in foreign policy and national security, Trump is hopeful that Ortagus will play a pivotal role in advancing peace efforts in the Middle East. “Good luck Morgan!” he concluded.
