Former NFL player and Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker has been nominated by Donald Trump for the post of the United States ambassador to the Bahamas. This nomination signifies yet another progression in their longstanding relationship, which originated during Walker’s tenure with Trump’s USFL team.
Trump described Walker on Truth Social as a successful businessman, philanthropist, former Heisman Trophy recipient, and NFL Great, who has consistently championed for youth sports.
The role of an ambassador to the Bahamas, which Walker is nominated for, entails managing U.S. relations with the Caribbean nation. This position is considered vital because of the extensive maritime border shared by the two countries. Walker, who served on Trump’s President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition until March 2022, will have to get Senate approval for his nomination. The ambassadorial position in Nassau is currently unoccupied.
Walker’s college career at the University of Georgia from 1980 to 1982 was notable. He spearheaded the Bulldogs to an undefeated season and a national championship in 1980, and he won the Heisman Trophy in 1982. His successes continued into his professional football career, which included two Pro Bowl appearances.
Walker’s Senate run in Georgia in 2022 against Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock was not without controversy. His ex-wife claimed he had threatened her with a gun, while two women alleged he had pressured them into having abortions despite his public anti-abortion stance. His son also expressed criticism against the campaign, calling it “a lie.”
During his campaign, Walker made several assertions about his academic and professional background that were later challenged. These included false claims about graduating in the top 1% of his class at the University of Georgia and misleading remarks about his military career and being an FBI agent. He also had to clarify the number of children he had fathered.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found discrepancies in Walker’s business record during his campaign. Although Walker had claimed that his food service company employed over 600 people, Renaissance Man Food Services reportedly had just eight employees during the pandemic. Court records exposed defaults, settlements, and lawsuits alleging Walker and his businesses owed millions in unpaid loans.
Scrutiny was also placed on Walker’s charitable contributions. His company claimed to donate 15% of profits to charities such as the Boy Scouts of America and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. However, three of the four named charities stated they had no record of receiving donations from Walker’s company in the past decade. PE4Life Foundation, one of the charities cited as a recipient, had stopped operating in 2014, despite claims by Walker’s company of donations as recent as 2017.
Walker’s campaign struggled with messaging and fundraising. According to insiders, Walker and his wife frequently questioned advice from experienced campaign operators, leading some to say, “He never should have run for this seat.” The campaign also faced issues with resource distribution, as the National Republican Senatorial Committee and Senate Leadership Fund spent significantly less than Warnock and his allies.
Should he be confirmed, Walker would become the second ex-NFL player to serve as ambassador to the Bahamas, following former linebacker Sid Williams who served during the Clinton administration. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last November that Walker was finishing his bachelor’s degree and was expected to graduate by the end of the year.
