Who is Elise Stefanik, New York congresswoman now Trump’s choice for ambassador to UN

Stefanik, 40, currently serves as the House Republican Conference Chair and has been one of Trump’s most loyal allies in the House, with her name previously floated as a possible vice-presidential contender.

Originally from upstate New York, Stefanik graduated from Harvard and worked in President George W. Bush’s White House, serving on the domestic policy council and in the chief of staff’s office.

In 2014, at the age of 30, she became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, representing New York’s upstate region. She later also became the youngest woman to hold a House leadership position.

Initially recognised as a more moderate conservative, Stefanik soon aligned herself closely with Trump, adopting a strong MAGA stance and seeing her influence within the party grow.

In 2021, she was appointed as House Republican Conference Chair.

Stefanik has long positioned herself as one of Trump’s closest allies and confidantes on Capitol Hill, endorsing him for the 2024 race before he even launched his campaign and campaigning actively for him during the GOP primary.

Her profile rose further when her forceful questioning of three university presidents regarding antisemitism on campus led to two resignations—a performance that drew Trump’s praise.

She vigorously defended Trump in both impeachment trials and has vocally opposed his criminal indictments, even filing an ethics complaint in New York against the judge presiding over his civil fraud case.

Nikki Haley, who contested Trump for the GOP nomination, previously held the UN ambassador role during his first term.

(With Inputs from AP)

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