February 26, 2026 | 10:17 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The right-wing influencer, Nick Adams, has reportedly been withdrawn as the nominee for the U.S. ambassador to Malaysia.
Adams confirmed that he will not be the U.S. ambassador to Malaysia in an email to the Sydney Morning Herald and stated that his new role will be revealed soon.
"Brilliant detective work, Mick! I’ve been promoted from the role of ambassador!" Adams said in the email, addressed to the Sydney Morning Herald journalist, as quoted by CNA on Wednesday.
"More details on that will come this upcoming week. I’m sure you’ll see it if you’re looking out for it. You might want to consider waiting a few days so you can break the news to your dozens of readers. Good luck on your hit piece, son," he added.
On social media platform X, Adams posted on February 23 about a "major announcement coming."
An examination by CNA on the U.S. Congress website showed that Adams' nomination was "returned to the president under provisions of Senate Rule XXXI" on January 3. If a nomination is returned to the president, it is no longer eligible for consideration by the Senate.
Adams, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Australia, was nominated as the U.S. ambassador to Malaysia by President Donald Trump last July.
However, his nomination was never confirmed by the Senate and lapsed at the end of the year. Adams' name was absent from the list re-submitted to the Senate in January, as well as from the list submitted in February.
Adams was among nine civilian nominees not resubmitted to the Senate in February, according to Bloomberg analysis of congressional records.
Nominations have been withdrawn for various reasons, including changes in administration, additional responsibilities in the original role, or new opportunities, a White House official told Bloomberg Government earlier this month.
Trump's nomination of Adams had sparked controversy due to reported misogynistic statements he made, as well as the negative reaction to his open support for Israel in 2024.
The author and supporter of Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again," who backed Trump during the 2024 U.S. presidential election, is also known for his loyalty to the American restaurant chain Hooters, which has been criticized for objectifying women.
Following his nomination, former Malaysian Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim described Adams as a "right-wing agitator and partisan provocateur" who is unsuitable to serve as the U.S. ambassador due to a lack of diplomatic credentials.
The youth chief of the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) in Selangor, Sukri Omar, stated that accepting Adams would be considered a direct insult to the Muslim community and Malaysians who support Palestine. Meanwhile, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he would oppose Adams' appointment.
Read: Modi: India Stands with Israel 'With Full Conviction'
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