Trump taps "alpha male" MAGA influencer as ambassador
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President Trump at the White House on Wednesday. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
President Trump nominated Nick Adams, a self-styled "alpha male" MAGA influencer, to be the next ambassador to Malaysia.
Why it matters: Adams is a popular commentator in the MAGAsphere but is not exactly a household name the way other influencers are. The nomination shows how much attention Trump pays to his online base and works to keep it in the fold.
What they're saying: "Nick is an incredible Patriot and very successful entrepreneur, whose love of, and devotion to, our Great Country is an inspiration," Trump wrote in his Truth Social post announcing he was tapping Adams for the ambassadorship.
- Adams said in a video on X, "It is nothing short of a lifetime's honor to take the president's goodwill and spread it to the great people of Malaysia."
Catch up quick: Australia-born Adams first drew headlines in 2016 when his book, "Green Card Warrior: My Quest for Legal Immigration in an Illegals' System," was dubbed by Trump as a "must read."
- He has since written several books panning liberals, including former President Biden, and feting Trump. Trump noted Thursday that Adams "has made it his life's mission to extol the Virtues of American Greatness."
- Perhaps most importantly for the right, however, he is a popular "manosphere" commentator, a sector of MAGA that is credited with drawing in growing support from Gen Z men. He has posted on social media frequently about "alpha males" and the Hooters restaurant chain.
- Trump first tapped Adams to serve on the board of the Woodrow Wilson Center in 2020. He is still a member.
Between the lines: Adams' nomination comes just after Trump sent the Malaysian government a letter informing it that it would be hit with a 25% tariff starting Aug. 1.
- Malaysian trade minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said Wednesday that he will continue negotiating with the U.S. and that Malaysia has "no plans to retaliate for now."
