Who is Mike Huckabee? Trump’s pick for Israel ambassador has TN ties

President-elect Donald Trump has announced former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as his pick for U.S. Ambassador to Israel.
In a statement, Trump referred to Huckabee as a “great public servant, governor and leader in faith” for many years. The former governor is also the host of his own weekly talk show, “Huckabee” on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), which is filmed in Hendersonville.
“He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him,” said Trump. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!”
Trump has expressed staunch support for Israel more than one year into its war in Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. As president, Trump moved the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and was considered a strong ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reported USA TODAY.
Here’s what to know about Huckabee.
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Huckabee, a Baptist minister and former Fox News host, served as governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He ran an unsuccessful bid for president in 2008 and then again in 2016 against Trump. Huckabee’s daughter, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as White House press secretary during Trump’s first presidency.
According to the National Governors Association, his talk show first aired on Fox News in 2007.
Huckabee has previously signaled he opposes negotiating a cease-fire deal with Hamas, arguing the only way to end the war is for the Islamist militant group to surrender. In June, Huckabee told NewsNation there is “no valid reason” to pursue a cease-fire with Hamas, which the Biden administration has worked for months to secure.
“There’s no valid reason to have a cease-fire with Hamas. They’re not capable of having an honorable negotiation,” Huckabee said, accusing the terrorist organization of pretending to listen to cease-fire details but always rejecting a deal.
“This is like trying to negotiate with the Nazis in World War II. You just don’t,” Huckabee said. “You beat them. You defeat them. You eradicate them.”
Contributing: USA TODAY
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana