Trump's Singapore Envoy Nominee Faces Viral Criticism

Dr. Anjani Sinha, President Donald Trump's nominee for US ambassador to Singapore, faced sharp criticism during his Senate confirmation hearing for his lack of knowledge about Singapore and US-Singapore relations. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth challenged Sinha on key facts, notably his significant overestimation of the US trade surplus with Singapore, and questioned his preparedness for the role. Sinha's poor performance during the hearing has gone viral in Southeast Asia and attracted negative online commentary. Despite this, he continues to receive support from President Trump and the US State Department, and his confirmation appears likely due to the Republican Senate majority. The ambassador post has become contentious following controversies involving both Trump and Biden-era nominees. Observers note the hearing underscores the challenges facing US diplomacy in the region.