Donald Trump names new ambassador to Australia
Former Virginia congressman David Brat has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the next US ambassador to Australia, a position that has been vacant for 15 months. Brat, a conservative economist and frequent guest on Steve Bannon's podcast, holds controversial views on foreign policy and US intelligence agencies. He must be confirmed by the US Senate before assuming the role in Canberra.
- ▪David Brat was a Tea Party insurgent who defeated House Republican leader Eric Cantor in a 2014 primary.
- ▪Brat has suggested that NATO provoked Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accused US intelligence agencies of conspiring against Republicans.
- ▪He has no known connections to Australia and has focused much of his commentary on Christianity, capitalism, and US domestic politics.
- ▪Brat has called the Biden administration's investigation into electoral interference a 'conspiracy 1,000 times worse than Watergate'.
- ▪He holds a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and advocates for merging Christian values with economic policy.
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Donald Trump names former Republican congressman as new US ambassador to AustraliaBy foreign affairs correspondent Stephen DziedzicTopic:Foreign AffairsTue 28 Apr 2026 at 3:10pmTue 28 Apr 2026 at 3:10pmTue 28 Apr 2026 at 3:10pmDavid Brat has been appointed as the next US ambassador to Australia. (Reuters: Yuri Gripas)In short:Former Virginia congressman David Brat has been named by the White House to be the next US ambassador to Australia.The appointment ends the 15-month wait for US President Donald Trump to fill the role.What's next?Mr Brat will need to be confirmed by the US Senate before he can take up the position in Australia.abc.net.au/news/donald-trump-white-house-david-brat-ambassador-australia/106615148Link copiedShareShare articleDonald Trump's pick as the next US ambassador to…
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