The recent appointment of three high-profile U.S. ambassadors in Europe — to the European Union, Hungary and Poland — has roiled that debate. Folks are taking a hard look at their history and connections to insurrectionist rabble-rousers. Stacey Feinberg is nominated to Luxembourg, Ken Howery to Denmark. That would be Kimberly Guilfoyle in Greece, Charles Kushner in Paris and Tilman Fertitta in Rome. These new arrivals bring a deep and divisive legacy of experiences and controversies. They’re very representative of the political moment we are in, in the United States.
Stacey Feinberg, an entrepreneur, investor and Republican donor, became the first Senate-confirmed U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg. Feinberg, known for her connections to the late far-right activist Charlie Kirk, has made headlines by describing former President Donald Trump as “the greatest US president since George Washington.” Her appointment drew attention not only for her political affiliations but for her extensive background in business and entertainment as a Broadway producer.
Ken Howery landing in Copenhagen, Denmark at the end of October. He’s been on a public relations tear ever since to bolster U.S.-Danish relations. A co-founder of PayPal himself, Howery is the latest example of bringing a tech-centric perspective to State’s diplomatic mission. His approach aims to foster goodwill and collaboration with Danish officials, reflecting a desire to enhance bilateral ties between the two nations.
Kimberly Guilfoyle, who officially became U.S. ambassador to Greece in November, walked into the post under a storm of media attention and diplomatic glam. Guilfoyle’s personal relationships with members of Trump’s inner circle have set off critics’ alarms, and her brazen trumpeting of them has been no help. She stated upon her arrival, “You will enjoy this journey. I will not disappoint the US. I will not disappoint Greece.” Others have been more critical, with some observers pointing to her brusque, transactional style as ill-suited to diplomacy.
At the same time, Charles Kushner has managed to continue as the U.S. ambassador to Paris, in spite of his ugly past. In 2005, Guarente pleaded guilty to five counts of tax evasion and witness tampering. Nevertheless, a source at the Quai d’Orsay remarked on Kushner’s effectiveness, stating, “He’s here to do a job, and from Washington’s standpoint he’s doing it pretty well.”
Tilman Fertitta has led the U.S. contingent in Rome since this past summer. Fertitta is legendary for his cutthroat business acumen and hospitality $3 billion empire. His vision and influence will surely have a lasting impact on U.S.-Italian relations.
Then there’s Andrew Puzder, another cabinet appointee who’s been exceedingly loud in opposition to America’s security strategies and European sovereignty. He posed a challenging question regarding EU member states: “How much of their sovereignty did [EU member states] give up to be part of an economic union?” His remarks point to increasing unease over the way that diplomatic relations are being woven into the fabric of national sovereignty in our increasingly globalized world.
The appointments of these ambassadors have not been without criticism. Former French ambassador Gérard Araud expressed dismay over the nominations, stating, “The craziness of these nominations reflects a total contempt for human dignity, custom, and the law. Only whim matters.” This mood strikes a chord with everyone who believes that these appointments and others like it have become politically motivated rather than informed by diplomacy.
As these ambassadors go about doing just that, how they act and succeed will help define what Americans think of American diplomacy on the continent. Others contend that their prior experiences prevent them from engaging in useful conversation. A businessman who has observed Guilfoyle’s methods remarked, “She is shrewd, but very blunt and as undiplomatic as Trump.” Others noted that “she’s very transactional,” suggesting that if confirmed, there could be a tough dynamic in negotiations.