'Let's see what happens': Trump (reluctantly) picks ex-critic Morgan Ortagus for policy role

Source: USA Today

Published 3:30 p.m. ET Jan. 4, 2025 | Updated 3:58 p.m. ET Jan. 4, 2025


WASHINGTON – Morgan Ortagus once called President-elect Donald Trump’s behavior “disgusting” and suggested he had the temperament of a “middle school pubescent boy.” Now she’s going to work for him. Again.

Trump announced Friday that he has – reluctantly, it seems – chosen Ortagus to serve as his deputy special envoy for Middle East peace. A Trump critic turned defender, Ortagus was the State Department spokeswoman for three years during his first term.

“Early on Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson,” Trump said in a statement announcing the appointment. Trump appeared to suggest he was appointing Ortagus only because she has strong support among his fellow Republicans.

“These things usually don’t work out,” Trump said, “but she has strong Republican support, and I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing it for them. Let’s see what happens.” Trump said he hopes Ortagus will be an asset to Steve Witkoff, whom he has chosen as his special envoy to the Middle East.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/01/04/trump-morgan-ortagus/77457559007/