President-elect Donald Trump has nominated businessman Warren Stephens as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.
“Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time,” Trump announced on Truth Social. “I am delighted he will have this opportunity as America’s top diplomat to one of our most cherished allies.”
Stephens, the CEO of Arkansas-based investment bank Stephens Inc., contributed millions to Trump’s re-election campaign this year.
If confirmed, Stephens will play a key role in preserving the “special relationship” between the U.S. and the UK.
The United States and the United Kingdom maintain strong ties in areas such as military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and cultural exchange.President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to reshape America’s foreign relationships, emphasizing an “America-first” approach to diplomacy.
The position of U.S. ambassador to the UK is one of the most prestigious diplomatic roles, often awarded to prominent supporters of the president. During Trump’s first term, he appointed Woody Johnson, a major Republican donor and owner of the New York Jets, to the post. Similarly, former President Barack Obama chose Louis Susman, a long-time Democratic fundraiser and lawyer, as his first ambassador to the UK.
Warren Stephens, Trump’s nominee for the role, has had a complicated relationship with the president. In 2016, Stephens contributed $4 million to groups opposing Trump’s initial presidential bid, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. More recently, he donated over $2 million to a political action committee supporting former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in her unsuccessful 2024 presidential run, as reported by OpenSecrets.
Despite this, Stephens ultimately endorsed Trump after his victory in the Republican primary this year, contributing to Republican campaigns and Senate candidates.
In a statement, Stephens expressed gratitude for the nomination, saying, “I have conveyed to President Trump that it would be a great honor to serve our country and his administration, working to advance the President’s agenda and further strengthen the historic alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom.”
Stephens and his wife are also active philanthropists through the Harriet and Warren Stephens Family Foundation, which has supported initiatives such as the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, the University of Mississippi, and the Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock.
