Trump Appoints Donut Shop Owner as U.S. Ambassador

AP Photo/Evan Vucci & Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP

President Donald Trump announced the appointment of the owner of a Texas donut shop to the position of U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica on Thursday.

In a statement announcing Melinda Hildebrand as the next ambassador to Costa Rica, Trump wrote:

I am pleased to announce that Melinda Hildebrand will serve as the next United States Ambassador to Costa Rica.

Melinda is an incredibly successful businesswoman and philanthropist, who serves as the Vice Chair of the Hildebrand Foundation, and Vice President of Hilcorp Ventures Inc. She is also the President and Owner of the popular River Oaks Donuts. She will fight tirelessly to protect America’s Interests abroad, especially in Trade and Immigration.

Congratulations Melinda!

Hildebrand and her billionaire husband Jeff Hildebrand donated generously to Trump’s presidential campaign last year. The couple donated nearly $800,000 to Trump in April 2024, along with a further $400,000 in October.

The Hildebrands opened River Oaks Donuts in 2013 and within a few years it became the number one voted donut shop in all of Houston, Texas.

“I felt like I wanted to provide the neighborhood with donuts,” said Mrs. Hildebrand following the opening of their shop. “It’s as simple as that. There was a need so we are providing a service.”

Hildebrand also serves as the vice president of her husband’s oil and gas company Hilcorp Ventures – one of the largest privately held oil companies in the United States.

Hilcorp operates, among other states, in Alaska, where Trump signed an executive order for the expansion of drilling and mining last month, despite environmental concerns.