Trump's Transition Team Sought to Halt Mandelson's US Ambassador Role
According to recent reports, Donald Trump's presidential transition team made repeated efforts to intervene in UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the ambassador to the United States. The team conveyed their opposition on multiple occasions, expressing a strong preference for Mandelson's predecessor, Karen Pierce, to remain in the position.
Diplomatic Pressure and Meetings
Politico reported this morning that Trump's aides communicated their stance to Starmer's national security adviser and former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney. A source close to the president indicated that this message was delivered during a meeting in Palm Beach in December 2024. Later that same month, the transition team contacted Powell to express their dissatisfaction with Pierce's treatment and their lack of support for Mandelson's appointment.
Trump's aides were particularly concerned about Mandelson's past public remarks that were disparaging towards the president, as noted by officials. Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff, is understood to be among those unhappy with the appointment, with one source describing her view of Mandelson as "arrogant" and rude to staff members.
Mandelson's Short Tenure and Epstein Ties
Ultimately, Peter Mandelson was dismissed from the ambassador role just nine months into his tenure after new details emerged regarding his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted child sex offender. In February, released files revealed that Mandelson, while serving as business secretary, had passed information to Epstein, including market-sensitive data that prompted a criminal investigation.
Other Political Developments
In related news, Donald Trump created an awkward moment for Japan's Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, during an Oval Office meeting on Thursday. When asked by a Japanese reporter about the US attacking Iran without warning allies like Japan, Trump joked about Imperial Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Prime Minister Takaichi later explained that Japan's ability to deploy military forces overseas, as Trump desires, remains limited by its post-World War II constitution drafted by the United States.
Additionally, a federal arts commission approved the final design for a 24-karat gold commemorative coin featuring Donald Trump's image to celebrate the US's 250th birthday on July 4. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library Foundation announced on Thursday that it is awarding Profile in Courage awards to staunch opponents of Donald Trump, including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and the people of the Twin Cities in Minnesota.
Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who has shown willingness to cross Trump since announcing he will not run for re-election, stated he will not vote to eliminate the filibuster to force changes to US election law.
