Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump is putting the pedal to the metal, reportedly offering the coveted U.N. ambassador role to none other than Congresswoman Elise Stefanik from New York. CNN broke the news late Sunday night, citing unnamed sources with an impeccable track record of speculation. While both Stefanik and the incoming commander-in-chief have remained tight-lipped about the nomination, it’s tough to ignore that this isn’t exactly a bolt from the blue—rumors have swirled for a while about Trump’s soft spot for her.
Stefanik, who holds the fourth-highest ranking position in the House, has become a prominent player and a loyal ally in Trump’s corner. She was one of the first Congressional members to back his presidential comeback and was even considered a strong contender for the vice presidential slot, though that ship has likely sailed. If she takes the U.N. post, it will create a special election to fill her House seat, which, given her district’s solid GOP lean (ranked R +9 by the Cook Partisan Voting Index), should yield yet another Republican win.
Trump confirms Elise Stefanik will be United Nations ambassador, his enforcer at the UN:
‘Strong, tough, and smart’ pic.twitter.com/ubGRcnaWTk
— MAGA Resource (@MAGAResource) November 11, 2024
On the international stage, Stefanik is no wallflower. She has been a steadfast advocate for Israel and has taken the Biden administration to task for its handling of conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, not to mention the sketchy withdrawal from Afghanistan that puzzled even the most optimistic observers. Her stance signals that tough love might be the new diplomatic language, a refreshing change from the groveling often seen from the current administration.
Stefanik has not held back when it comes to her opinions on the United Nations either, calling it “a hotbed of antisemitism” after reports surfaced that one of its agencies had cozy ties with Hamas. She wasn’t afraid to point fingers, stating that while Trump made responsible cuts to U.N. funding, Biden and Harris have rolled out the red carpet for an organization whose employees had a hand in the October 7th attacks against Israel. The message is clear: it’s time to finally put America First, with no taxpayer dollars going to dubious international causes.
As if that wasn’t enough to cozy up to conservatives, Stefanik has also aired her grievances about the United Nations’ penchant for ironic climate change proposals that would require cutting meat consumption and promoting electric vehicles. In a fiery X post, she blasted Democrats for their plans to funnel an extra $8 billion into the U.N. when America’s own debt is skyrocketing past $30 trillion. It’s a fitting reminder that someone with a backbone—and a pinch of humor—may finally offer a dose of much-needed common sense at the U.N. If she accepts the role, it’s unlikely to be a dull day at the U.N.; perhaps it’ll finally see a bit of wisdom instead of well-dressed absurdity.
