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President-elect Donald Trump announced a series of appointments to his cabinet, naming ambassadors to Spain and the Netherlands, while unveiling the team which will support his Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent.
The newly elected president praised his appointees as “incredible, hardworking Patriots who will work tirelessly to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
Benjamin Leon Jr. was selected Thursday to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Spain. An immigrant from Communist Cuba who arrived to the U.S. at the age of 16 with just $5, President Trump explained that Leon went on to found Leon Medical Centers, a major healthcare provider in Florida, into an “incredible business.”
“[Leon] has helped support many worthy causes, like La Liga Contra el Cancer, and important Medical Research at Johns Hopkins and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,” the president-elect wrote in a post to Truth Social.
President Trump also announced Joe Popolo as his pick for U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands. Popolo, a businessman, is known for transforming the Freeman Company into the world’s leading live event brand experience network, according to the president-elect.
“Joe is an E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner, and also a recipient of the Dallas Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO Award. He is a proud graduate of Boston College, a member of their Board of Regents, and also, a Patron of the Arts in the Vatican Museum,” President Trump announced Thursday.
In addition to the ambassadorial announcements, President Trump also revealed the team which will support his nominee for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent.
The president-elect’s appointments included Ken Kies for Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, Alexandra Preate for Senior Counselor to the Secretary, and Hunter McMaster as Director of Policy Planning.
He also nominated Daniel Katz as Chief of Staff for the treasury, and Samantha Schwab and Cora Alvi to be the agency’s Deputy Chiefs of Staff.
With his appointments, President-elect Trump aims to solidify his America First team as he prepares to reenter the White House in a matter of weeks. Pending Senate confirmation, these nominees will likely play a considerable role in shaping the nation’s diplomatic and economic futures.
