President Donald Trump has announced his pick for the next U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism: Chabad rabbi and entrepreneur Yehuda Kaploun. The nomination
was shared Thursday on Trump’s Truth Social platform.
Kaploun, an Orthodox Jewish leader based in Miami, has been a longtime ally of Trump and played a prominent role in Jewish outreach during the 2024 presidential campaign. In addition to his rabbinical work, he is the co-founder and president of RussKap Water, a company specializing in atmospheric water generation, and co-founded the Moses and Aaron Foundation, which supports children with special needs and their families.
In his statement, Trump praised Kaploun as “a dedicated defender of the Jewish faith and the rights of Jewish people to live and worship without fear.” He added, “As antisemitism rises globally, Yehuda will serve as a powerful advocate for Jewish communities in the U.S. and around the world while promoting peace.”
If confirmed by the Senate, Kaploun will succeed Deborah Lipstadt, a noted scholar of antisemitism who was appointed by President Joe Biden. The envoy role, which carries ambassador-level status, traditionally focuses on global antisemitism but has recently gained domestic urgency amid a rise in antisemitic incidents in the U.S.
Kaploun’s nomination comes as the Department of Education investigates claims of antisemitism on U.S. college campuses, and as the State Department considers deporting foreign students linked to pro-Palestinian protests. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wiimedia commons.