Former US President Donald Trump has chosen Sergio Gor, the former White House Director of Personnel and a close associate, as the next US Ambassador to India. Gor will also serve as the Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. This appointment follows Gor’s emergence in the public eye, especially amid the dispute between Trump and Elon Musk, alongside scrutiny of his earlier trip to Russia. This article examines the life of Sergio Gor and the circumstances surrounding his appointment.
Trump announced Gor’s appointment with enthusiasm on social media, stating that he was pleased to name Sergio Gor as the next US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. Gor expressed his appreciation for Trump’s confidence, stating that it was a great honor to lead America in any country.
Reports indicate Gor was born in Uzbekistan in 1986. His family later moved to Malta for several years before immigrating to the United States in 1999. He studied in Los Angeles and then at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. At university, he initially used the name Gorokhovsky before shortening it to Gor.
Gor has been involved in American politics for some time. He worked on John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, where McCain ran against Barack Obama. Later, Gor worked with Senator Rand Paul.
Gor held the position of Chief of Staff for the Trump Victory Finance Committee in June 2020 and subsequently became an advisor and book publishing manager for Donald Trump Jr. In November 2024, he was appointed the White House Director of Personnel.
The relationship between Elon Musk and Gor has been strained. After a dispute with Trump, Musk called Gor a ‘snake’. This comment came after a New York post that alleged Gor had not completed the necessary documentation for his security clearance.
The White House, however, dismissed these claims, stating that Gor had completed all required documents and his security clearance was active.
Gor’s place of birth is not definitively known. Though his prominence in the US, Gor has never clarified his birthplace. Media reports suggest Kazakhstan. A report from Washington D.C. identified Gor as a migrant from Malta. Gor himself only stated he wasn’t born in Russia. In 1994, his mother started a Maltese company where her nationality was stated as Israeli. Many reports place Gor’s birth in Tajikistan.
Gor also has ties to Russia, including a trip to Moscow in 2018 with Rand Paul to discuss Russian-American relations. Leaked Russian records also indicated a trip to Moscow in 2017. The reasons for this earlier trip remain unknown.
Trump shared his announcement on social media. He described Gor as a good friend and praised his contributions to his campaigns. He also noted Gor’s role in managing a major Super PAC supporting their movement, adding that Gor would remain in his current role until his appointment was confirmed.
Gor responded to the appointment, expressing his gratitude. He said that he was honored to serve and represent the United States. Eric Garcetti was the previous US Ambassador to India, holding the post from May 11, 2023, to January 20, 2025. The position was open until the appointment of Sergio Gor.