Longtime Trump friend with ambassadorship reportedly ‘on thin ice’ with administration
Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack has been friends with the president for about 40 years.
Ryan Cooper 
Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and a fixture in President Donald Trump’s inner circle for nearly 40 years, is reportedly facing significant heat within the administration. According to reports from MAGA influencer Laura Loomer, the longtime friend of the president is now considered to be “on thin ice.”
Escalating Tensions and Potential Recall
Barrack, who first met Trump in the late 1980s during the Plaza Hotel acquisition, is reportedly facing internal scrutiny over his handling of relations between Israel and Turkey. Loomer claimed on X Monday that officials are discussing a potential recall, citing concerns that Barrack—who also serves as special envoy to Syria—may not be aligned with the administration's foreign policy goals.
“Source tells me Ambassador Tom Barrack @USAMBTurkiye is on thin ice with the Trump administration and US State Department,” Loomer posted. “There are internal discussions taking place about recalling him back to the US as some members of the admin believe he is responsible for the recent escalation in tensions between Turkey and Israel.”
Controversy Over the Golan Heights
The scrutiny intensified following comments Barrack made on a podcast regarding the Golan Heights. Barrack suggested that Israel was “illegally occupying” the territory, a statement that drew immediate backlash because it directly contradicted President Trump’s 2019 decision to formally recognize Israeli sovereignty over the region. Loomer noted that the State Department was “bombarded with complaints” following the remarks.
Though Barrack later walked back his comments on Sunday—claiming he was merely describing the territory’s historical status rather than endorsing U.N. positions—the damage appears to be done. The Associated Press reported that the comments conflicted with the official stance held by President Trump.
Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed the territory in 1981, though the move remains unrecognized by most of the international community. For now, critics like Loomer are vocal about their desire to see a change in leadership, calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to move forward with a recall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report for 205focus.com.
