Trump taps ex-Fox News host as US ambassador to Greece

US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday nominated Kimberly Guilfoyle, a lawyer and former Fox News host who has dated his eldest son, to serve as the US ambassador to Greece in his upcoming administration.

"For many years, Kimberly has been a close friend and ally," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States, and safeguard its interests abroad."

Guilfoyle, 55, spoke at the Republican National Convention in July and has been Trump's loyal ally. She had been engaged to Donald Trump Jr, but the two recently split up, according to US media.

"Kimberly is perfectly suited to foster strong bilateral relations with Greece, advancing our interests on issues ranging from defense cooperation to trade and economic innovation," Trump added.

Trump has been known to tap people who are close to his family or of proven loyalty. Previously, Trump named Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as his pick for the US ambassador to France.

In a separate announcement Tuesday, Trump named longtime friend Tom Barrack as the US ambassador to Turkey. The private equity executive faced legal scrutiny for his work on behalf of the United Arab Emirates.

He was indicted in 2021 on charges of unlawfully acting as an agent of the United Arab Emirates, but was acquitted in 2022.

Trump also tapped former US ambassador to El Salvador Ronald Johnson as his administration's next envoy to Mexico.

The appointment will be a key diplomatic position in the new administration, after Trump threatened Mexico with tariffs if the southern neighbor does not crack down on the flow of immigrants and drugs at the US border.

"Congratulations Ron. Together, we will put an end to migrant crime, stop the illegal flow of Fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into our Country and, MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump announces antitrust chief

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday tapped Andrew Ferguson, a board member at the Federal Trade Commission and Big Tech critic, to run this major US antitrust and competition agency.

Ferguson will replace Lina Khan, whose antitrust lawsuits galvanized progressive Democrats and even some Republicans, but also received pushback from the business community, notably the tech industry.

Signaling his incoming administration's priorities, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social website that Ferguson "has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship."

While Republicans are generally considered more business friendly than Democrats, conservatives also allege that their voices have been censored online in anti-disinformation campaigns, auguring a potential clash between Big Tech and the Trump administration.

Ferguson has also said that companies that pulled out of advertising on X (formerly Twitter) -- which many did after new owner Elon Musk loosened rules on hate speech -- might be doing so in violation of antitrust law.

Musk himself has become close with Trump, donating millions to support his election campaign. The billionaire is set to spearhead a government cost-cutting initiative under the new administration.

Trump has also tapped Gail Slater to lead the Justice Department's antitrust division, meaning she would take over ongoing government legal battles against Google and Apple, accused of acting like monopolies.

"Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country," Trump said in his Truth Social post.

The incoming Republican president has been using the platform to make a slew of incoming announcements on major staffing decisions, often written late at night with words capitalized throughout.

Trump will take office on January 20.