President-elect Donald Trump has selected football legend Herschel Walker to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and art collector Nicole McGraw as the U.S. Ambassador to Croatia. Trump praised Walker’s record of business success, philanthropy, and advocacy for youth and military service members, announcing the decision on his social media platform.
“I am pleased to nominate Herschel Walker as United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” Trump said. “Herschel has spent decades serving as an Ambassador to our Nation’s youth, our men and women in the Military, and athletes at home and abroad.”
Walker, a former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL star, is known for his athletic achievements and his 2022 run for U.S. Senate in Georgia, where he received Trump’s strong endorsement but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Trump highlighted Walker’s prior role as Co-Chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition during Trump’s first term. He also noted Walker’s work supporting mental health initiatives for military service members, pointing out that Walker visited over 400 military installations worldwide.
Nicole McGraw, a prominent art collector, will serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Croatia. While McGraw’s diplomatic experience has not been widely publicized, her background in the arts and cultural engagement signals a fresh approach to U.S.-Croatia relations. Her appointment adds to a growing list of Trump loyalists being tapped for key diplomatic roles.
Other nominations announced by Trump include former Sen. David Perdue as ambassador to China and former Sen. Kelly Loeffler to lead the Small Business Administration.
Trump concluded his statement with a message of support for Walker, saying, “Congratulations Herschel! You will make Georgia, and our entire Nation, proud, because we know you will always put AMERICA FIRST!”