Trump’s ambassadors: the loyalists and allies at the center of controversy

Charles Kushner, Kari Lake and Kimberly Guilfoyle, the latter of whom stepped down as the US ambassador of Greece after allegations of corruption. Photograph: Getty Images

Donald Trump has appointed family members, friends and loyal political allies to represent the US on the world stage, dispatching an extraordinary array of characters to embassies across the world.

While presidents of both parties have long rewarded donors and allies with plum ambassadorships, Trump has chosen loyalists willing to go to bat for him regardless of the implications for US-foreign relationships.