President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday evening that former NFL running back Herschel Walker will play a key diplomatic role in his upcoming administration. Trump revealed that Walker will serve as the United States ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, a high-profile appointment that comes as no surprise to those who have followed Walker’s political journey.
The news was posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform, a site the former president created in the wake of his well-documented Twitter ban.
Walker, a former Heisman Trophy winner from his days at the University of Georgia, entered the political spotlight when he secured the Republican nomination for a Georgia Senate seat in the 2022 midterm elections.
Although he ultimately lost the runoff to Democrat Raphael Warnock, Walker remained a close ally of Trump and maintained a significant presence within Republican circles. Rumors had swirled for months that Trump had promised Walker a prominent position if he reclaimed the White House in 2024—and this announcement appears to confirm those whispers.
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“I am pleased to nominate Herschel Walker as United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” Trump wrote in a statement on Truth Social. “Herschel has spent decades serving as an ambassador to our nation’s youth, our men and women in uniform, and athletes both at home and abroad. A successful businessman, philanthropist, former Heisman Trophy winner, and NFL great, Herschel has been a tireless advocate for youth sports.”
Trump went on to highlight Walker’s previous contributions during his first term in office. “During my first term, he served as Co-Chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. Herschel has visited over 400 military installations worldwide, breaking down stigmas related to mental health.
He even represented the United States at the 1992 Winter Olympics as a member of the U.S. bobsled team,” Trump continued. “Congratulations, Herschel! You will make Georgia, and our entire nation, proud, because we know you will always put AMERICA FIRST.”
This appointment continues a trend of Trump tapping high-profile sports figures for influential posts.
During his initial tenure in the White House, he named New York Jets owner Woody Johnson as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom. More recently, reports have surfaced that Houston Rockets owner and billionaire entrepreneur Tilman Fertitta is among the leading candidates to serve as U.S. ambassador to Italy.
“News: Billionaire Tilman Fertitta, CEO of a hospitality group and the owner of the Houston Rockets, is expected to be Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to Italy, per sources,” CBS News correspondent Jennifer Jacobs reported last week.
Trump’s consistent outreach to prominent sports personalities reflects both his long-standing ties to the athletic world and a strategy of leveraging their public stature in diplomatic and advisory roles. Walker’s appointment, in particular, underscores the deep bond he shares with Trump, cultivated through shared political endeavors and mutual respect.
As the United States renews its diplomatic efforts in the Caribbean, all eyes will be on the former NFL star as he transitions from the gridiron and the campaign trail to the corridors of international diplomacy.
