Trump’s Singapore Ambassador Pick Faces Tough Senate Grilling Over Lack of Expertise

Trump’s Ambassador Pick to Singapore Hits a Rough Patch in Senate Hearing

When Dr. Anjani Sinha, President Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Singapore, took the hot seat during his Senate confirmation hearing, it quickly became clear he was out of his depth. What started as a routine grilling turned into a cringe-worthy spectacle that’s now being shared widely online—mostly because the orthopedic surgeon struggled big time to answer basic questions about the tiny but hugely important city-state.

Who Is Dr. Anjani Sinha?

Dr. Sinha isn’t your typical diplomat. An Indian-born surgeon based in Florida, he owns a chain of orthopedic and sports medicine practices on the East Coast. That’s great for patients but... not so much for navigating complex U.S.-Singapore relations or global trade issues. At the hearing, he described himself as a “lifelong bridge builder,” presumably hinting at his skills in connecting with people. But when it came to the nitty-gritty of diplomacy, the doctor’s knowledge appeared shaky at best.

The Hearing Quickly Went Off the Rails

Illinois Democrat Senator Tammy Duckworth wasted no time getting straight to the point. She asked Sinha about the size of the U.S. trade surplus with Singapore. His first guess was a whopping $80 billion. When corrected, he revised it to $18 billion. The real number? Just $2.8 billion. Not exactly a great start for someone vying to represent American interests in a key trading partner.

Things didn’t get any easier. Next up: the looming 10 percent tariff President Trump threatened to impose on Singaporean goods. Duckworth pressed him on how he would “sell” this policy to Singapore. Instead of a clear strategy, Sinha fumbled through his answer and ended with a shrug, saying, “The dialogue is not closed. The door is not closed.” That vague response did little to inspire confidence.

More Hard Questions—and More Silence

Duckworth kept pressing, asking when Singapore would take over the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Dr. Sinha didn’t know. Duckworth informed him it was set for 2027.

She followed up with, “What does holding the chairmanship entail for Singapore? Can you name one responsibility?” The room fell silent. Eventually, Sinha responded with vague, filler statements that didn’t really answer the question.

That’s when Duckworth let loose, clearly frustrated.

“I just feel you’re not taking this seriously,” she said bluntly. “You think this is a glamour posting—that you’re going to live a nice life in Singapore—when what we need is someone who can actually do the work.”

“You Are Unqualified”

Senator Duckworth didn’t mince words. She flat out called Sinha “unqualified” for the post and told him he was “not currently prepared” for the role. Her message was clear: If he wanted the job, he needed to hit the books and do some serious homework—fast.

Her critique wasn’t just about the facts he missed, but the overall attitude and readiness to represent the U.S. in a vital diplomatic role. Singapore may be small, but it’s a huge strategic hub, especially in finance and trade, and the ambassador there needs to know what they’re doing.

Social Media and Public Reaction

The hearing clip quickly went viral on Singaporean social media, with viewers poking fun at the nominee. One cheeky comment dubbed him “more Embarassador than ambassador,” while another joked about whether Trump’s tariff or Trump’s envoy was the bigger insult to Singapore. Ouch.

But despite the public embarrassment, Sinha’s chances aren’t dead yet. Senator Lindsey Graham, a powerful Republican who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced Sinha warmly as “a friend of President Trump for over a decade.” And with the GOP holding the Senate majority, party-line votes could still see Sinha confirmed.

The Official Spin

When Trump nominated Sinha back in March, he called him a “highly respected entrepreneur.” The State Department backed that up in May, highlighting Sinha’s “deep social and cultural ties to the Indo-Pacific region.” According to them, his appreciation for Singapore’s role as a financial hub made him “well qualified” to be ambassador.

Still, many experts and observers see this as a stretch given the nominee’s lack of experience in diplomacy, trade, or regional affairs.

Why Singapore Matters So Much

Singapore isn’t just any country. It’s a global financial center and a key player in the Indo-Pacific region, acting as a gateway for U.S. trade and security interests in Southeast Asia. The U.S.-Singapore relationship includes military cooperation, technology partnerships, and significant trade volumes. So having a knowledgeable, diplomatic, and strategic ambassador is critical.

An ambassador in Singapore has to manage delicate economic talks, help coordinate with ASEAN countries, and navigate the broader geopolitical landscape where China’s influence is growing. That means understanding trade numbers, tariffs, political shifts, and regional alliances. It’s a complex job, and one that calls for expertise beyond running a medical practice.

The Bigger Picture: Political Appointments vs. Expertise

Sinha’s nomination fits a broader pattern seen in U.S. politics, where presidents sometimes nominate campaign donors, friends, or successful business people to ambassador posts, rather than career diplomats or foreign policy experts. These “political ambassadors” often face steep learning curves, especially in strategically sensitive countries.

Some argue that bringing in outsiders can freshen up diplomatic relations, while others warn that the stakes are too high for a trial-by-fire approach. Singapore’s strategic importance means the U.S. can’t afford missteps or ignorance.

The Stakes Ahead

If confirmed, Dr. Sinha will face immediate challenges, including navigating U.S. tariffs and trade policy that have unsettled many American allies. His ability to quickly get up to speed on Singapore’s regional role and economic landscape will be under close scrutiny.

In the meantime, his Senate hearing serves as a reminder that the job of an ambassador isn’t just a perk or a social club invitation—it’s a demanding role requiring knowledge, diplomacy, and a serious commitment to representing American interests abroad.

Quick Takeaways: What This Hearing Showed Us

• Ambassador roles require deep knowledge: Especially in key countries like Singapore, understanding trade, politics, and regional alliances is essential.

• Political appointments can backfire: Nominees without foreign policy experience can struggle, risking diplomatic embarrassment.

• Senator Duckworth brought the heat: Her grilling was sharp, direct, and unafraid to call out lack of preparation.

• Public perception matters: Social media turned the hearing into a viral moment that questioned Sinha’s qualifications.

• Senate dynamics will decide the outcome: Despite the tough hearing, partisan politics could still push the nomination through.