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Trump's Team Warns UK Against Controversial Ambassador Pick

3/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s transition team warned UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer against appointing Peter Mandelson, a British politician, as ambassador to the United States because Mandelson criticized Trump.
They voiced concerns in a December 2024 meeting and in a subsequent phone call, favoring the incumbent ambassador Karen Pierce.
Starmer admitted making a mistake in selecting Mandelson, who was fired in September 2025 after revelations about his past.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s transition team warned UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer against appointing Peter Mandelson, a British politician, as ambassador to the United States because Mandelson criticized Trump.
They voiced concerns in a December 2024 meeting and in a subsequent phone call, favoring the incumbent ambassador Karen Pierce.
Starmer admitted making a mistake in selecting Mandelson, who was fired in September 2025 after revelations about his past.