Trump picks Republican mega-donor Warren Stephens as ambassador to UK

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Mon 2 Dec 2024 18.24 EST
Last modified on Mon 2 Dec 2024 19.04 EST


Donald Trump announced on Monday he has picked investment banker and Republican mega-donor Warren Stephens to serve as ambassador to the UK.

“Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time,” wrote Trump in a social media post. “I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the U.S.A. to one of America’s most cherished and beloved Allies.”

Stephens is chairman, president and CEO of Stephens Inc, a privately owned financial services firm headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, according to the firm’s website.

The businessman has donated regularly to conservative causes, although not always in support of Trump. Stephens initially poured money into efforts to oppose Trump’s 2016 run, but he later supported Trump’s 2020 presidential run. In 2023, Stephens donated in support of Asa Hutchinson’s presidential run. In 2024, according to Federal Election Commission filings, he donated at least $2m to Make America Great Again Inc, a pro-Trump Super Pac.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/02/trump-uk-ambassador-warren-stephens

[Mike 03]

1. Our poor allies

These appointments are so disrespectful. I'm sure France, England, etc.. really appreciate us trashing up their countries with these totally unqualified big-dollar donors, the very last thing on their minds being to serve with distinction.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. But then our allies like the UK have had their own loons

like Boris Johnson and Liz (lettuce) Truss.

[returnee]

3. If I were France...

…I would not recognize Kushner.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. I would agree

although I expect Marine Le Pen would be happy to do so!

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Compared with Kushner for France, this is normal

A rich donor (who until 2016 was a traditional rich Republican, but who later bent the knee and opened his pockets to the rapist) gets a comfortable prestigious ambassadorial post, with career diplomats to do the actual work. It's par for the course. Stephens is not, as far as I can tell, a convicted criminal, or family crony.

[C0RI0LANUS]

6. Warren Stephens is another bloodless GOP oligarch getting a lifetime gift with the title "Ambassador."

The mafia term for guys like Warren Stephens is "shylock" or "loan shark." His companies slam borrowers with outrageous "vigs" or interest. The CFPB accused him of cheating working-class and poor Americans.

You can read about this unqualified vulture, his off-shore accounts, and other nefarious enterprises at the links below.

Sources:

https://www.icij.org/investigations/paradise-papers/us-political-donors-play-offshore-game/


https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/07/world/offshore-tax-havens.html

No paywall: https://archive.is/fu0la

[bronxiteforever]

7. "America's most cherished and beloved Allies"

I don’t think he wrote this.

[C0RI0LANUS]

10. Lickspittle Stephen Miller probably crafted this fine pearl of diplomatic language.

[marmar]

8. Kakistocracy? Kleptocracy? Idiocracy? All of the above?

[C0RI0LANUS]

9. The term for the incoming Trumpf regime simply beggars description.

Meanwhile,

[wolfie001]

11. I hope they greet him with boos and rotten eggs

Make his tenure horrific.