U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday announced he had appointed Mark Savaya to serve as Special Envoy to the Republic of Iraq.

“Mark’s deep understanding of the Iraq-U.S. relationship, and his connections in the region, will help advance the interests of the American people,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Mark was a key player in my campaign in Michigan, where he, and others, helped secure a record vote with Muslim Americans,” he added.

“I am deeply humbled, honored and grateful to President Donald J. Trump for appointing me as Special Envoy to the Republic of Iraq,” Savaya posted on X on Monday.

“I am committed to strengthening the U.S.–Iraq partnership under President Trump’s leadership and guidance.”

The Hour Detroit Magazine reported in 2020 that Savaya’s family immigrated from Iraq in the 1990s.

I am deeply humbled, honored and grateful to President Donald J. Trump for appointing me as Special Envoy to the Republic of Iraq.

I am committed to strengthening the U.S.–Iraq partnership under President Trump’s leadership and guidance.

Thank you, Mr. President. ???? pic.twitter.com/NdLq3BGmNC

— Mark Savaya (@Mark_Savaya) October 20, 2025

Mark Savaya is a strong Trump supporter who has attended rallies, visited Mar-A-Lago, donated about $25,000 to Trump’s 2020 campaign, and appeared in photos with Trump, his family, cabinet members, and associates like billionaire Elon Musk.

He also has links to the Lebanese-born American businessman and a senior advisor to the U.S. president Massad Boulos.

Senior Kurdistan Democratic Party official and former Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari welcomed the appointment in a post on X. 

“The appointment of Mr Mark Savaya an American of Chaldean and Iraqi origins by President Trump as his Special envoy to Iraq is a welcome news and a bold decision to restore Iraqi sovereignty and independence away from corruption and mismanagement of its resources, and militias rule.”