{"id":99193,"date":"2026-11-13T11:52:28","date_gmt":"2026-11-13T03:52:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=99193"},"modified":"2026-11-13T11:52:28","modified_gmt":"2026-11-13T03:52:28","slug":"us-ambassador-to-singapore-named-in-trump-backers-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=99193","title":{"rendered":"US Ambassador to Singapore named in Trump backers report"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"text-primary article-summary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">PHILADELPHIA \u2013 An American think-tank has named <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/the-us-helped-with-the-spore-miracle-now-its-calling-in-the-favour-says-trumps-new-envoy-anjani?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">US Ambassador to Singapore Anjani Sinha<\/span><\/a> in a list of individuals who allegedly benefited from making contributions to US President Donald Trump\u2019s political operations, pet projects and family firms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Sinha made a US$1 million (S$1.3 million) donation to a political action committee (PAC) aligned with Trump, which he failed to disclose during <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/world\/united-states\/dr-anjani-sinha-confirmed-as-trumps-ambassador-to-singapore-in-an-en-bloc-vote?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">his 2025<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/world\/united-states\/dr-anjani-sinha-confirmed-as-trumps-ambassador-to-singapore-in-an-en-bloc-vote?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\"> <\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/world\/united-states\/dr-anjani-sinha-confirmed-as-trumps-ambassador-to-singapore-in-an-en-bloc-vote?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">Senate confirmation hearing<\/span><\/a>, said the report released by the Center for American Progress (CAP), a progressive think-tank.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">It quoted findings from the Campaign Legal Center, a Washington-based non-partisan legal organisation, to say that Sinha \u201cgave US$1 million to MAGA Inc in <!-- -->February<!-- --> 2025 and was nominated to be Ambassador to Singapore the following month\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">It further notes that Sinha \u201cfailed to disclose this contribution to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee despite a legal obligation to do so\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Checks by The Straits Times on the Federal Election Commission website showed that the donation was made on Feb 20, 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">A check of published congressional records related to Sinha\u2019s confirmation hearing, however, did not show the million-dollar donation, although other donations made by him and his family members were listed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">ST asked the US Embassy in Singapore on Nov 10 to confirm the accuracy of the report. The embassy referred inquiries to the US State Department, which did not respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">MAGA Inc is a super PAC founded on Sept 23, 2022, to support Trump and candidates aligned with his platform. It can raise and spend unlimited sums of money independently to support or oppose political candidates, run television and digital advertisements and fund <!-- -->voter<!-- --> turnout efforts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/world\/trump-nominates-entrepreneur-anji-sinha-as-his-singapore-ambassador?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">announced Sinha as his nominee for Ambassador to Singapore<\/span><\/a> on March 11, 2025, via a post on his Truth Social platform. It was received by the Senate at the end of April.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">His confirmation hearing, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/world\/united-states\/tremendous-opportunities-for-growth-in-us-singapore-ties-says-trumps-ambassador-nominee-sinha?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">a tempestuous affair<\/span><\/a> during which senators criticised him for his for inadequate knowledge of US-Singapore relations, took place on July 9, 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The US$1 million contribution was not reported to the public until MAGA Inc filed its mid-year report on July 31, 2025, after Sinha\u2019s nomination was already reported favourably out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"default inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/95677ea76cc43cfaec55260f873c202307407f7e6eb77d15ee9fb3be5218c3c2?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/95677ea76cc43cfaec55260f873c202307407f7e6eb77d15ee9fb3be5218c3c2?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px and max-width: 3999px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/95677ea76cc43cfaec55260f873c202307407f7e6eb77d15ee9fb3be5218c3c2?w=900\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 4000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/95677ea76cc43cfaec55260f873c202307407f7e6eb77d15ee9fb3be5218c3c2\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/95677ea76cc43cfaec55260f873c202307407f7e6eb77d15ee9fb3be5218c3c2\" alt=\"Records from the US Federal Election Commission show that Dr Anjani Sinha made a US$1 million donation to Maga Inc on Feb 20, 2025.\" class=\"aspect-default flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover default article-default mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 pt-08 pb-16\">\n<p class=\"inline text-secondary font-secondary-captions-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">Records from the US Federal Election Commission show Sinha made a US$1 million donation to Maga Inc on Feb 20, 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"inline text-tertiary font-secondary-captions-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\"> <!-- -->PHOTO: US FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/world\/united-states\/dr-anjani-sinha-confirmed-as-trumps-ambassador-to-singapore-in-an-en-bloc-vote?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">He was subsequently confirmed<\/span><\/a> in a Senate vote on Oct 7, 2025.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"font-primary-headline-md-semibold\" data-testid=\"article-subhead-test-id\">Longstanding practice<\/h2>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">It is a longstanding and common practice in the US for presidents to appoint their political backers, campaign donors and close allies to high-profile diplomatic posts, particularly as ambassadors and special envoys.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The CAP noted that its report was \u201cnot intended to assert quid-pro-quo corruption on the part of any individuals or entities \u2013 or, for that matter, the Trump administration \u2013 as political donations and access to government officials are part of the firmament of how American politics and government function\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Its Nov 2 report, Tracking The Return On Investment Of Trump\u2019s Backers, names more than 75 individuals and entities that have contributed nearly US$1.7 billion to Trump\u2019s political operations and personal projects, including his inauguration, the White House ballroom renovation and family-owned companies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cThese individuals and entities have reaped or will reap benefits conservatively estimated at approximately US$183 billion,\u201d CAP said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"default inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/6c737bc464dfeafdf887258f4d70b72d04b1ba93d1c6d2790ea28c1ff028cac1?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/6c737bc464dfeafdf887258f4d70b72d04b1ba93d1c6d2790ea28c1ff028cac1?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px and max-width: 3999px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/6c737bc464dfeafdf887258f4d70b72d04b1ba93d1c6d2790ea28c1ff028cac1?w=795\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 4000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/6c737bc464dfeafdf887258f4d70b72d04b1ba93d1c6d2790ea28c1ff028cac1\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/6c737bc464dfeafdf887258f4d70b72d04b1ba93d1c6d2790ea28c1ff028cac1\" alt=\"List of donations related to Dr Anjani Sinha\u2019s July 2025 confirmation hearing for the post of US Ambassador to Singapore. The list shows donations made by Sinha and his family members but does not show that he made a US$1m donation in February 2025 to Maga Inc.\" class=\"aspect-default flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover default article-default mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 pt-08 pb-16\">\n<p class=\"inline text-secondary font-secondary-captions-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">List of donations related to Sinha\u2019s July 2025 confirmation hearing for the post of US Ambassador to Singapore. The list shows donations made by Sinha and his family members but does not show that he made a US$1 million donation in February 2025 to Maga Inc.<\/p>\n<p class=\"inline text-tertiary font-secondary-captions-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\"> <!-- -->PHOTO: CONGRESS.GOV<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The report also pointed out the large donations made by ambassadors appointed to other nations \u2013 Warren Stephen (US$9 million), Howard Brodie (US$5 million) and Benjamin Leon (US$4.5 million), envoys to the United Kingdom, Finland and Spain, respectively.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Will Ragland, a co-author of the report, told ST that the purpose of the report was to provide a road map for congressional oversight on potential corruption.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cThe goal was to have a resource that lays bare who is giving to the administration and some of the benefits that they have received. Not necessarily drawing any causation from that,\u201d said Ragland, the vice-president of research for the advocacy department at CAP.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Several US media organisations have reported on corruption allegations and instances of self-dealing related to the Trump administration, but the White House has pushed back against such claims.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<center><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/world\/united-states\/us-ambassador-to-singapore-anjani-sinha-named-in-report-on-trump-backers-who-reaped-rewards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><br \/>\n<center\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PHILADELPHIA \u2013 An American think-tank has named US Ambassador to Singapore Anjani Sinha in a list of individuals who allegedly benefited from making contributions to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99194,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-99193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=99193"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99193\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/99194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=99193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=99193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=99193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}