WASHINGTON : U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated his close aide and White House personnel chief Sergio Gor as the next Ambassador to India, while also assigning him the additional role of Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.
Gor, 38, will continue overseeing White House personnel until the Senate confirms his appointment. Trump praised him as a “great friend” who has “been at my side for many years,” crediting him with helping to fill more than 95 percent of federal government positions since Trump’s return to office.
Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, before migrating first to Malta and later to the United States, Gor built a career in conservative politics after graduating from George Washington University. He previously worked with Senator Rand Paul, managed political campaigns, and co-founded Winning Team Publishing, which has published several Trump-related titles.
While the nomination underscores Trump’s trust in Gor, it has also drawn attention for past controversies. Tech billionaire Elon Musk once described Gor as a “snake” after his involvement in the withdrawal of a NASA nominee supported by Musk.
Nevertheless, key figures in the Trump administration have rallied behind the choice. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Gor “an excellent representative of America,” while Vice President J.D. Vance described him as a “fantastic ambassador.”
Gor’s nomination comes at a sensitive moment in U.S.–India relations, with ongoing trade frictions and looming tariff disputes. Analysts say his close ties to Trump suggest a more centralized and loyalist-driven approach to managing one of Washington’s most important bilateral relationships.
If confirmed, Gor will succeed Eric Garcetti, who served as U.S. envoy to New Delhi during the Biden administration.