Leandro Rizzuto Jr. (born March 20, 1962) is an American businessman who has been announced as nominee to be ambassador to the Organization of American States in the second Trump administration. He was U.S. Consul General in Hamilton, Bermuda during the first Trump administration. He was unsuccessfully nominated by President Donald Trump to become the next United States Ambassador to Barbados. Trump subsequently appointed him to the diplomatic post in Bermuda, a position that did not require confirmation by the Senate.
Leandro Rizzuto Jr. | |
|---|---|
| United States Ambassador to the Organization of American States | |
Presumptive nominee | |
| Assuming office TBD | |
| President | Donald Trump (elect) |
| Succeeding | Francisco O. Mora |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 20, 1962 New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Denise Rizzuto |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Leandro Rizzuto Rita Rizzuto |
| Alma mater | Arizona State University (did not finish) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
He is the son of Leandro Rizzuto, billionaire founder of Conair Corporation. Rizzuto previously worked as a senior executive in his father's company.
Early life
editLeandro Rizzuto Jr. was born on March 20, 1962, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Leandro Rizzuto and his wife Rita Rizzuto.[1][2]
Rizzuto studied marketing at Arizona State University from 1980 to 1982, but left to work for the family businesses.[3][1]
Career
editRizzuto spent his entire career with Conair Corporation, of which his father was chairman and near 100% owner until his death in December 2017, rising to senior vice president for professional global business units.[3][4]
During the 2016 presidential campaign, he spread fringe conspiracy theories and made inflammatory comments about Trump's political opponents, such as Ted Cruz, John Kasich and Scott Walker.[5]
In January 2018, Donald Trump nominated Rizzuto to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia.[3] Just two weeks later, Rizzuto pledged more than $15,000 to fund Trump's club at Mar-a-Lago.[6] Rizzuto had donated over $345,000 to the Trump campaign and state and national Republican parties in the 2016 cycle.[7] Rizzuto's nomination failed, as the Senate sent Rizzuto's nomination back in January 2020.[8]
In May 2020, Trump gave Rizzuto the position of principal officer at the US Consulate General in Hamilton, Bermuda. This position did not require confirmation by the Senate.[8]
His appointment to the role in Bermuda was met with resistance and protest.[9]
In December 2024, Rizzuto was announced as nominee to be ambassador to the Organization of American States in the second Trump administration.[10]
Personal life
editHe is married to Denise Rizzuto and they have three children.[1][11][12]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Ambassador of the U.S. to Barbados, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines: Who Is Lee Rizzuto, Jr.?". allgov.com. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ "Prominent Businessman Leandro Rizzuto Jr to be Ambassador to Barbados, But Wait – #ForgotSomething?". diplopundit.net. January 8, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ a b c "President Donald J. Trump Announces Key Additions to his Administration - The White House". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved January 5, 2018 – via National Archives.
- ^ Conair Corporation, of which his father was chairman and near 100% owner until his death in December 2017
- ^ Nathan McDermott; Andrew Kaczynski. "Trump ambassador nominee promoted fringe conspiracy theories on Twitter". CNN. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
- ^ David, Farenthold (February 22, 2018). "Two weeks after Trump chose him for ambassador, nominee pledged money for a gala at Trump's club". Washington Post.
- ^ "Donor Lookup". OpenSecrets. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
- ^ a b Zachary Cohen; Andrew Kaczynski (May 27, 2020). "Trump administration taps failed ambassador nominee who spread fringe conspiracies for diplomatic post". CNN. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Trump appointee sparks US Consulate protest | The Royal Gazette:Bermuda News". mobile.royalgazette.com. June 2, 2020.
- ^ Fortinsky, Sarah (December 11, 2024). "Donald Trump picks Leandro Rizzuto Jr. for ambassador of OAS". The Hill. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ "Newsletter Archives > National > Affordable Housing > Mon, January 24".
- ^ "When I say to my fabulous Trumpettes get out and make things happen, they really start at the top!". Trumpettes USA. May 24, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
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