Trump Names Former Fox Host To State Dept Post: “Hopefully She Learned Her Lesson For Fighting Me”

“I am pleased to announce Morgan Ortagus as Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Middle East Peace, to the Honorable Steven Witkoff. Early on Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson.

“These things usually don’t work out, 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.

“She will hopefully be an asset to Steve, a great leader and talent, as we seek to bring calm and prosperity to a very troubled region. I expect great results, and soon!” – Trump, posting to Truth Social.

In 2022, Ortagus, a former Fox News host, was kicked off the Tennessee US House primary ballot along with anti-LGBTQ activist Robby Starbuck for having failed to vote in at least three out of four recent elections, as state GOP bylaws require.

Ortagus, who had been endorsed by Trump, appeared on JMG earlier that year when she was unable to name any landmarks in her would-be district, including its major highways.

Ortagus first appeared on JMG in July 2021 when she claimed during a Fox News appearance that the Japanese are “committing genocide against the Uyghurs.”

In fact, the Uyghurs are a Muslim minority that lives in China. Many wondered online why a former State Department official would not know this geographic fact.

This is absolutely bonkers. Trump announces his appointment of Morgan Ortagus in a statement that reads like one of his tweets firing someone. pic.twitter.com/xaveN4Pptj

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 3, 2025