Elise Stefanik Named U.S. Ambassador to the UN as Trump Assembles New Administration

New York – Representative Elise Stefanik has accepted an appointment from President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

The 40-year-old Republican from upstate New York, known for her sharp critiques of campus antisemitism, will lead Trump’s “America First” and pro-Israel platform on the world stage at the UN headquarters in Turtle Bay, The Post has confirmed.

Trump, 78, released a statement Sunday night expressing his support for Stefanik’s appointment.

“I am honoured to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is a firm, tough, and smart America First fighter,” Trump said, underscoring Stefanik’s alignment with his foreign policy priorities.

A key Trump ally, Stefanik currently serves as the No. 4 House Republican and has stood by Trump throughout his political journey, including during his first impeachment trial in 2020.

In that role, she was part of Trump’s defence team in the Senate, where he was charged with pressuring Ukraine to investigate alleged corruption involving the Biden family.

Stefanik has continued to support Trump’s claims of bribery, coining the term “Biden Crime Family” in her public statements and frequently appearing on television to advocate for Republican positions on various issues. This represents a sharp departure from the outgoing UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who maintained a lower profile and rarely courted media attention.

In accepting the role, Stefanik issued a statement to The Post, saying, “I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.” Reflecting on her discussions with Trump, she added, “During my conversation with President Trump, I shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate.

President Trump’s historic landslide election has given hope to the American people and is a reminder that brighter days are ahead — both at home and abroad.” She continued, “America continues to be the world’s beacon, but we expect and must demand that our friends and allies be strong partners in the peace we seek.”

Stefanik’s appointment also arrives amid rising criticism of the UN from conservative voices, especially regarding its handling of Israel-related matters and the influence of authoritarian states within its agencies.

The UN has been scrutinised for allowing countries like China and Cuba to hold seats on the Human Rights Council, which critics say undermines the council’s legitimacy.

Additionally, the UN’s recent response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has sparked backlash, with accusations that some members or agencies within the organisation appeared to condone or even participate in Hamas actions against Israel.

This is not the first time Trump’s policies have challenged international organisations. In his first term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO), ending the $450 million annual U.S. contribution over what he called the WHO’s failure to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic in China properly.

His successor, President Biden, later rejoined the organisation, signaling a policy shift that Trump’s return to office could potentially reverse once more.

Stefanik’s nomination is among the first major appointments announced by Trump following his recent election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. While Trump has already named his campaign chairwoman Susie Wiles as his incoming White House Chief of Staff, he has yet to announce other Cabinet or senior White House positions.

In a statement, Stefanik highlighted the need for strong U.S. leadership on the international stage, a role she intends to fill as UN ambassador. “The work ahead is immense as we see antisemitism skyrocketing coupled with four years of catastrophically weak U.S. leadership that significantly weakened our national security and diminished our standing in the eyes of both allies and adversaries,” Stefanik said. “I stand ready to advance President Donald J. Trump’s restoration of America First peace through strength leadership on the world stage on Day One at the United Nations.”

Stefanik’s move to the UN will prompt a special election to fill her House seat, temporarily reducing the already narrow Republican majority in Congress. New York Governor Kathy Hochul is required by law to call a special election within 10 days of the vacancy, which must then be held within 70-80 days.

The Republican nominee for the election will be selected by GOP county chairs rather than through a primary.

A source close to the forthcoming special election described Stefanik’s district as “ruby red” and firmly pro-Trump, suggesting that the Republican Party is confident in retaining the seat. Stefanik herself was re-elected just this past Tuesday with over 63% of the vote.

As she prepares to assume her new role, Stefanik’s shift from Congress to the United Nations is seen as a key move in advancing Trump’s foreign policy agenda. Her appointment reinforces Trump’s commitment to a strong, America-focused presence at the UN, as the new administration takes shape and prepares for global engagement.