Morgan Ortagus, an Auburndale native and a graduate of Florida Southern College, served in the Bush, Obama and first Trump administrations.

Morgan Ortagus, a Donald Trump critic turned supporter, will serve as his deputy special envoy for Middle East peace.

Early on Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson,” Trump wrote, adding: “These things usually don’t work out.”

President-elect Trump announced on Friday that he is appointing Morgan Ortagus, who served as State Department spokesperson in his first term, as deputy special presidential envoy for Middle East peace.

President-elect Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about appointing former State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus as deputy special envoy for Middle East peace – while announcing his decision to give her the role.

US President-elect Donald Trump has announced Morgan Ortagus as America's Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Middle East Peace to Steven Witkoff.

US President-elect has announced the appointment of Morgan Ortagus as Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Middle East Peace. Ortagus has extensive experience in diplomacy and national security and previously served as the spokesperson at the Department of State.

These things usually don’t work out, but she has strong Republican support, and I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing it for them," Trump wrote.

Announcing his deputy envoy for Middle East peace, President-elect Donald Trump made it clear that he chose Morgan Ortagus reluctantly. Trump said he picked Ortagus, a spokesperson at the State Department when it was led by Mike Pompeo — who in 2024 considered running against him — because others lobbied hard for her.