President-elect Donald Trump has named former NFL star and Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker as his ambassador to the Bahamas. The announcement came in a Tuesday night statement, highlighting Walker’s long-standing relationship with Trump and his history of public service.
“Herschel has spent decades serving as an Ambassador to our Nation’s youth, our men and women in the Military, and athletes at home and abroad,” Trump said. He praised Walker as a “successful businessman, philanthropist, former Heisman Trophy winner, and NFL great,” noting his advocacy for youth sports. Trump also acknowledged Walker’s previous role as Co-Chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition during his first term.
Walker’s association with Trump dates back to the early 1980s. After winning the Heisman Trophy at the University of Georgia, Walker signed with the New Jersey Generals in the United States Football League (USFL). The team was later purchased by Trump in 1984. Though the Generals never secured a championship, Walker’s performance earned him the 1985 USFL MVP title.
Following the USFL’s collapse, Walker transitioned to the NFL, joining the Dallas Cowboys and later the Minnesota Vikings in a notable 1989 trade. He retired in 1997 with over 8,000 rushing yards, two All-Pro honors, and two Pro Bowl selections.
Walker was an early supporter of Trump’s 2016 presidential bid. In August 2015, he told USA Today that Trump was his frontrunner, despite media skepticism. “I’m not going to say anything negative about him because it’s not true,” Walker stated.
Trump’s endorsement of Walker continued into politics. In 2021, Trump backed Walker’s bid for the Georgia Senate seat, calling him “a friend, a Patriot, and an outstanding American who is going to be a GREAT United States Senator.” Walker secured the GOP nomination but lost the 2022 runoff to incumbent Democrat Sen. Raphael Warnock, amid intense scrutiny from the left regarding his past.
Walker’s new diplomatic role reflects Trump’s trust in his long-time ally and his ongoing commitment to “America First” policies. His appointment to the Bahamas marks another chapter in the enduring relationship between the two men and their shared vision for leadership.
