President Donald Trump’s nomination of conservative influencer and outspoken supporter Nick Adams as the next U.S. ambassador to Malaysia has sparked strong criticism from Malaysian political leaders, including members of the ruling coalition. Adams, an Australian-born U.S. citizen known for his viral pro-Trump content, still requires Senate confirmation.
The controversy centers on Adams’ history of inflammatory social media posts, particularly his outspoken support for Israel. In March, he wrote, “If you don’t support Israel, you support terrorists,” adding the hashtag “#StopHamas.” Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation, does not have diplomatic ties with Israel and is a vocal supporter of Palestinian statehood.
Malaysian parties across the political spectrum—including government members Amanah and Keadilan as well as opposition group Bersatu—have condemned the nomination. Critics say Adams lacks diplomatic experience and accuse him of espousing “divisive,” “Islamophobic,” and “sexist” rhetoric. Multiple parties have pointed to Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which allows host nations to reject ambassadorial appointments.
The backlash comes as U.S.–Malaysia trade tensions escalate, with Washington raising tariffs on Malaysian goods to 25%, up from 24% in April. Some Malaysian officials view the nomination and tariff increase as a diplomatic affront, questioning whether both moves signal a deeper strain in bilateral relations.
