President-elect Trump announced the appointment of John Arrigo as the next United States Ambassador to Portugal in a statement posted on Truth Social on Tuesday.
Praising Arrigo’s success in the automotive industry and his leadership in the West Palm Beach business community, Trump stated, “It is my great honor to announce that John Arrigo will serve as the next United States Ambassador to Portugal.”
John Arrigo appointed as Ambassador to Portugal
John Arrigo is the vice president of of the Arrigo Automotive Group, a family-owned business in West Palm Beach, Florida, home to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
The group began with a Dodge dealership in 1989 and expanded to include multiple Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo dealerships across South Florida.
“John is a highly successful entrepreneur in the automotive industry and a champion golfer,” the former president stated. “For over thirty years, he has been an incredible leader in business in West Palm Beach and is respected by all.”
Trump expressed his confidence in Arrigo’s capabilities: “I have known John for a long time. He will do an incredible job for our country and always put America FIRST.”
John Arrigo replaces Ambassador Randi Charno Levine who announced her resignation effective January 19, 2025.
Appointed by President Joe Biden, Ambassador Levine expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Portugal, calling it one of her life’s greatest honors.
During her tenure, Ambassador Levine deepened economic, cultural, and defense ties between the two countries, including a groundbreaking trade and investment mission in renewable energy and critical minerals,
The initiative strengthened global supply chains making the US Portugal’s top non-EU trading partner, with significant contributions to critical infrastructure, data centers, and submarine cables.
Through cultural diplomacy, she promoted initiatives involving culinary arts, sports, and music, and shared values of equity and inclusion. Her efforts boosted US tourism to Portugal, which generated over two billion dollars in 2023, and stimulated academic exchanges to record levels. Investor visas were made available for Portuguese entrepreneurs, fostering business opportunities in the US during her tenure.
Defense collaboration flourished under her leadership, with enhanced US and Portugal military ties, increased NATO commitments, and expanded US presence in the Azores.
She championed gender equity in sports through soccer initiatives and celebrated arts and culture by connecting Portuguese and American artists, culminating in the 2023 “Art in Embassies” celebration with First Lady Jill Biden.
Ambassador Levine marked the 50th anniversary of Portugal’s Carnation Revolution by creating an exhibition honoring US support for Portuguese democracy.
In January, she will receive the Grand Cross of the Order of Infante Dom Henrique from the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, for her contributions to economic and cultural collaboration.
John Arrigo’s nomination continues a pattern of appointing individuals from the inner circle of President-elect Donald Trump, including personalities from the business sector to diplomatic positions. Arrigo’s appointment is pending confirmation by the Senate. Truth Social is an alt-tech social platform owned by Trump Truth Media & Technology Group (TMTG).
PAJ/Staff
