Darren Beattie, a former speechwriter for Donald Trump and conservative commentator, has been appointed to lead the US state department’s public diplomacy efforts under the Trump administration. Beattie confirmed his appointment in a message to readers of Revolver, a conservative website where he has been a contributor.
The MAGA ideologue will serve as acting undersecretary of state for public diplomacy. It is unclear if he will be formally nominated for the position, which would require Senate confirmation.
Fired over attending White nationalist conference
Beattie previously worked as a speechwriter in the White House but was dismissed during the Trump’s first term after it was revealed he had spoken at a conference attended by white nationalists. He has since remained a vocal supporter of Trump and has expressed strong opinions on race and US foreign policy.
“Thanks to President Trump’s miraculous victory, we have entered the beginning of a new Golden Age — of success, prosperity, legitimacy, and accountability. I have been given the great honor of serving once again in Trump’s administration, this time in the Department of State,” Beattie wrote in his message to Revolver readers, announcing his leave of absence from the site.
Past controversies
After leaving the White House, Beattie established the right-wing media platform Revolver News. The outlet has promoted false claims about the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, including assertions that federal agencies were involved in planning parts of the attack and had influence over extremist groups that participated.
Beattie has also drawn attention for his statements on social media. On October 4, 2024, he wrote on X: “Competent white men must be in charge if you want things to work. Unfortunately, our entire national ideology is predicated on coddling the feelings of women and minorities, and demoralizing competent white men.”
In 2020, Beattie posted a tweet attacking Taylor Swift after she opposed a monument in Tennessee’s Capitol honoring Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate general and early Ku Klux Klan leader. In his post, he compared her advocacy to performing sexual favors for music producers.
“That celebrities are required to debase themselves with such statements is, in some ways, even more humiliating than the physical favors they are required to perform for their producers,” he wrote.
His appointment has been a topic of discussion within the US state department for several days, news agency AP reported.
Role and responsibilities
As acting undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, Beattie will oversee the department’s global outreach and communication efforts, including messaging handled by US embassies and consulates. While previous holders of the role have maintained a low profile, the position is considered influential within the department.
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