President-elect Donald Trump said he is tapping Tom Barrack, the founder of Colony Capital LLC, to serve as ambassador to Turkey, elevating a longtime friend to a crucial diplomatic post.

The US billionaire's close ties with the president-elect and a portfolio in dealmaking could provide room for improvement in Ankara-Washington ties, according to experts.

He is a well-respected and experienced voice of reason to a wide range of thought leaders in both political and business circles,' US president-elect says in statement - Anadolu Ajansı

Trump chose a former Fox News personality and a California billionaire for ambassadorships in his administration. Both positions require Senate confirmation.

In November, Trump announced plans to nominate his son-in-law Jared Kushner’s father, Mr Charles Kushner, as ambassador to France and to appoint Mr Massad Boulos – the father-in-law of his youngest daughter Tiffany Trump – as a senior adviser on Arab and Middle East issues.

Trump picked Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host, as the next US ambassador to Greece and Tom Barrack the next ambassador to Turkey.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday picked Tom Barrack, businessperson and the chair of his 2017 inaugural committee, as the next ambassador

Colony Capital founder Barrack had previously been charged with unlawfully acting as an agent of the United Arab Emirates and was acquitted in 2022 of all nine counts he faced.