President-elect Donald Trump has a new plan for Herschel Walker, his longtime friend and former football star.
Three years after backing Walker in a high-profile Georgia Senate race, Trump is now appointing him as U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas.
"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 on social media. He highlighted Walker’s role as co-chair of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition during Trump's first term.
Walker, a Heisman Trophy winner and former University of Georgia football star, has been friends with Trump since the 1980s. Their bond began when Walker played for Trump’s New Jersey Generals in the USFL.
In August 2021, Walker launched a Senate campaign in Georgia after Trump’s strong encouragement. Walker, a political newcomer, faced controversy over personal and business issues during the race.
His battle against Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock became one of the most-watched races of the 2022 midterms. The race went to a runoff, with Walker narrowly losing to Warnock in December.
Despite the loss, Walker joined Trump on the campaign trail in Georgia this year. Trump won the state after narrowly losing it to President Biden in 2020.
Walker’s appointment follows Trump’s selection of other Georgia Republicans who lost Senate races. David Perdue was nominated as ambassador to China, and Kelly Loeffler was picked to run the Small Business Administration.
Walker also made headlines this month by graduating from the University of Georgia, 42 years after leaving school.