State Dept. spokesperson Heather Nauert ‘leading contender’ to replace Haley

The latest speculation says that State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert is a top contender to replace Nikki Haley at the United Nations.

By Adina Klein, World Israel News

Since U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley announced her resignation from her post at the United Nations three weeks ago, rumors have been circulating as to whom President Donald Trump will appoint as her replacement.

It now appears that State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert, 48, is a “leading contender,” two sources familiar with the selection process told Fox News on Monday.

The president met with Nauert on Monday regarding the position, according to “two people familiar with the matter,” Bloomberg reported, adding that she did not return phone calls or text messages seeking comment.

A native of Rockford, Illinois, Nauert is a former Fox News host and held several positions with other news organizations. Besides her role as State Department spokesperson since April 2017, she was named acting undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs earlier this year.

According to Bloomberg, Trump also spoke with Jamie McCourt, his ambassador to France, about the job last Friday.

“Nauert has gained Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s trust after being excluded from the inner circle of his predecessor, Rex Tillerson. She is also closely aligned with Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner,” Bloomberg noted.

Dina Powell, a Goldman Sachs executive and former Mideast adviser to Trump, had been the first candidate floated for the prestigious post, but she took herself out of the running.

Trump also said that “Ivanka would be dynamite,” suggesting he may consider his daughter for the position. She quickly dispelled rumors of the possibility.