Sergio Gor, a name that has recently surfaced as President Donald Trump's nominee for the next US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs, is a figure known for his close ties to Trump and a past clash with Elon Musk, who once called him a "snake". This nomination comes at a time of rising tariff tensions between the US and India.

Born Sergey Gorokhovsky in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on November 30, 1986, when it was part of the Soviet Union, Gor's family moved to Malta before eventually immigrating to the United States in 1999. He became a US citizen and attended George Washington University, where he engaged in conservative politics.

Gor's involvement in Republican politics began after university, including work for Senator Rand Paul. He later joined Trump's circle as a fundraiser, publisher, and trusted aide. He served as chief of staff for the Trump Victory Finance Committee in June 2020. He also collaborated with Donald Trump Jr. in a publishing company called Winning Team Publishing. In 2024, Gor led a pro-Trump super PAC that received significant funding from Isaac Perlmutter, former Marvel Entertainment executive.

Currently, Gor is the director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office. Trump has praised Gor for his loyalty and his role in hiring nearly 4,000 officials across federal departments. Trump stated on Truth Social that Gor is a "great friend" and that he needs someone he can "fully trust to deliver on my agenda" in the "most populous region in the world". Vice President JD Vance has also expressed support for the nomination.

Despite his growing influence, Gor has faced scrutiny. The New York Times described him as "valued by the president for his loyalty" but also "capricious" in decision-making. He reportedly clashed with Elon Musk, particularly over personnel decisions. According to reports, Gor played a role in blocking Jared Isaacman's nomination to lead NASA, which Musk supported. Musk publicly criticized Gor, calling him a "snake" on social media. This stemmed from a New York Post report that claimed Gor had not completed his own background security clearance paperwork, despite overseeing vetting for thousands of executive-branch employees. The White House disputed these claims.

As Ambassador to India and Special Envoy, Gor will succeed Eric Garcetti, who served from May 2023 to January 2025. His nomination occurs amidst complex relations between the US and India, including rising tariff tensions. Some analysts question his limited experience in foreign policy, noting his exposure has primarily been through joining Trump's overseas trips and involvement in National Security Council matters.