Trump considers former ambassadors Friedman, Grenell for UN role

This follows Trump's withdrawal of Elise Stafanik's nomination after concerns that her exit from the House of Representatives could affect the Republican legislative majority.

 Then-US ambassador to Israel David Friedman speaks before unveiling a plaque at the US embassy in Jerusalem, December 21, 2020. (photo credit: MAYA ALLERUZZO/POOL VIA REUTERS)
Then-US ambassador to Israel David Friedman speaks before unveiling a plaque at the US embassy in Jerusalem, December 21, 2020.
(photo credit: MAYA ALLERUZZO/POOL VIA REUTERS)

President Donald Trump said on Monday he had several potential candidates for US ambassador to the United Nations, including Richard Grenell, a former ambassador to Germany, and David Friedman, a former envoy to Israel.

Last week Trump withdrew the nomination of Representative Elise Stefanik for the job over concerns that her exit from the House of Representatives could threaten Republicans' narrow majority.

Asked on Monday who he was considering instead, Trump said as many as 30 people were interested in the job.

He listed Grenell, now a special envoy for his administration, as well as the interim president of the Kennedy Center, and Friedman, the ambassador to Israel during Trump's first term in office.

"We have a lot of good people that want it," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Former US ambassador to Israel David Friedman speaks at The Jerusalem Post Annual Conference, October 12, 2021 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Former US ambassador to Israel David Friedman speaks at The Jerusalem Post Annual Conference, October 12, 2021 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

'A star-making position.'

"We have a lot of people that have asked about it, would like to do it: David Friedman, Ric Grenell, and maybe 30 other people. Everyone loves that position. That's a star-making position."

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley served as US ambassador to the United Nations during the first part of Trump's first term. She ran against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination last year and lost.