The co-manager of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has called Lord Mandelson an “absolute moron” just a day after the Labour peer was announced as the US ambassador.
Lord Mandelson, who served in the cabinets of Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, will become the UK’s top diplomat in Washington DC as US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House.
In a post on X, Chris LaCivita linked to an article from the Daily Telegraph which referenced Lord Mandelson describing Mr Trump as a “danger to the world”.
The piece also details how Lord Mandelson said Mr Trump was a “white nationalist and racist” in an interview with an Italian journalist in 2019.
Mr LaCivita wrote alongside the link: “This UK govt is special replace a professional universally respected Ambo with an absolute moron - he should stay home! SAD!"
On Thursday, Lord Mandelson said it was a “great honour” to be appointed to the role, which he will begin in early 2025.
“We face challenges in Britain but also big opportunities and it will be a privilege to work with the Government to land those opportunities, both for our economy and our nation’s security, and to advance our historic alliance with the United States.”
Sir Keir Starmer said that he was “delighted” to appoint Lord Mandelson, and he will bring “unrivalled experience to the role”.
In a statement, the Prime Minister said that “the United States is one of our most important allies and as we move into a new chapter in our friendship, Peter will bring unrivalled experience to the role and take our partnership from strength to strength”.
He also thanked outgoing ambassador Dame Karen Pierce for her “invaluable service” and “steadfast support” she has given him personally since his election in July.
Sir Keir added: “She made history as the first woman to serve as UK Ambassador to the US and she has been an outstanding representative of our country abroad. I wish her all the very best in future.”
On Friday, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described Lord Mandelson as “an individual of very significant international standing”.
She told Sky News: “We need someone as the next ambassador to the US who is going to be able to promote our economic and security interests with one of our closest allies, and so I think he is a really good fit for the job.”
