US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Saturday, May 30, the end of Thomas Barrack’s mandate as US special envoy to Syria.
Rubio said in a post on X that Barrack had played an invaluable role as America’s special envoy to Syria. He added that Barrack would continue to play a leading role for the Trump administration in both Syria and Iraq, saying that his experience, relationships, and understanding of the “America First” agenda would continue to bring gains for a “great America,” as he put it.
Rubio did not provide further details on the nature of Barrack’s new role or on who will take over the duties of US special envoy to Syria in the next phase.
Thomas Barrack is an American politician and businessman of Lebanese origin. He was born in 1947 and worked as a lawyer before emerging as a real estate investor in major global companies. He founded Colony Capital, through which he acquired major assets, including the Plaza Hotel in New York and Miramax.
Barrack held senior positions under Presidents Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump. He was recently appointed US ambassador to Turkey, then special envoy to Syria.
During his tenure, Barrack led a major political shift expressed by the Trump administration. The shift included support for stability and diplomatic integration in the period after political change in Syria, calls to integrate local forces, and coordination over the outlines of the transitional phase and reconstruction.
Barrack has had a long-standing relationship with current President Donald Trump since the 1990s, when he sold him a stake in the famous Alexander’s department store chain. Their relationship developed over the years.
Barrack became an adviser to Trump during his 2016 election campaign, then chaired the presidential inaugural committee that oversaw the celebrations and ceremonies for the inauguration of the 45th president in US history.
In July 2021, Barrack faced federal charges of acting as an agent for a foreign state, using his influence in Trump’s election campaign to affect US policies, and making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
When President Trump ran again in the 2024 presidential election and won, he announced his intention to nominate Barrack as US ambassador to Turkey. The Senate confirmed the appointment in late April 2025.
After assuming the post of US ambassador to Turkey, Barrack announced on May 23, 2025, that he had taken over the duties of US special envoy to Syria.
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