The U.S. State Department has fueled further speculation about the fate of Mark Savaya, the U.S. envoy to Iraq, following widespread posts and reports claiming that Donald Trump had dismissed him—without any official confirmation or denial to date.

In an exclusive response, a State Department spokesperson said, “The Department has no comment regarding Mr. Savaya at this time.”

President Donald Trump had appointed Mark Savaya, an American businessman of Iraqi descent, as the U.S. Special Envoy to Iraq on October 19, 2025.

Savaya, born in Baghdad to a Chaldean family originally from the northern Iraqi town of Tel Keppe, rose to prominence in Michigan as an entrepreneur in the medical and recreational cannabis industry before entering the political spotlight through his support for Trump’s election campaign.

Trump announced Savaya’s appointment via the Truth Social platform, stating that “Savaya’s deep understanding of the U.S.-Iraq relationship and his regional connections” would help advance American interests. The appointment sparked debate in both Washington and Baghdad—some viewed it as a sign of renewed U.S. engagement in Iraq, while critics focused on his lack of traditional diplomatic experience.