President-elect Donald Trump has appointed businessperson and political donor Bill White to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Belgium. The announcement was made Saturday via a post on Truth Social, where Trump praised White’s extensive contributions to veterans and military families.
White is the founder and CEO of Constellations Group, a Manhattan-based consulting firm, and formerly served as president of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York. His philanthropic work includes raising over $1.5 billion to support service members and their families.
“Bill has worked tirelessly to support Great American Patriots who have given everything for our Country,” Trump said in his post. He highlighted White’s recognition as a two-time recipient of the Meritorious Public Service Award, granted for extraordinary service to the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy.
Controversial Past Amid High Achievements
While White’s resume is decorated with accolades, his career has not been without controversy. In 2010, he resigned from his position at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum during a probe led by New York’s then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo into a state pension scandal. White was accused of acting as a middleman for investment companies seeking deals with the state fund, secretly amassing fees in the process. He later agreed to pay a $1 million settlement to resolve the allegations.
Despite this, White has remained a prominent figure in political and philanthropic circles. A former supporter of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, White shifted his political allegiance to Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign. As an openly gay man, White previously withdrew his support for Mitt Romney in 2012, citing disagreements over Romney’s stance on marriage equality.
A Strategic Appointment for Belgium
As ambassador to Belgium, White will play a critical role in managing U.S.-Belgium relations, a key component of Trump’s broader diplomatic strategy in Europe. The appointment reflects Trump’s pattern of selecting high-profile donors and allies for key diplomatic posts.
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