Trump’s ambassadors from Florida: Who are Dan Newlin, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Peter Lamelas?
C. A. BridgesPresident-elect Donald Trump has chosen three more Floridians to positions in his new administration. One you've seen on Fox News, and one has billboards all over the state.
On Wednesday, Trump named attorney Dan Newlin to be his ambassador to Colombia and MD Now Urgent Care founder Dr. Peter Lamelas as his ambassador to Argentina. The day before, Trump tapped Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and fiancee, now reportedly former fiancee, of his son, Donald Jr., to be ambassador to Greece.
Here's what to know.
Who is Daniel J. Newlin?
If you've driven around Florida, you've seen the billboards. Lots of happy people telling you how much they won in court, with a "Thank you Dan!"
On Wednesday Trump thanked Orlando attorney and Trump donor Daniel J. Newlin, 50, of Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys by naming him ambassador to Colombia.
"With his Law Enforcement expertise enabling him to navigate complex international issues, and his business insights fostering economic partnerships, Newlin stands as a powerful advocate for U.S. interests, and a Champion for strengthening ties, and making a difference in the World. Dan will do a great job!" Trump said in a post on the social media site he owns, Truth Social.
Indiana native Newlin worked as a patrol officer for the police department and an emergency medic for the fire department in New Chicago before moving to Orlando to work for the Florida Department of Corrections as a corrrections office/medic. After a year, he was offered a position with the Orange County Sheriff's Office where he advanced to fugitive detective.
He graduated from the Florida State College of Law in 2000 and began practicing law in Orlando, specializing in injury and accident victims and making a name for himself for aggressive representation and record settlements.
Newlin has been a strong Trump supporter, hosting a fundraiser in April, contributing at least $2.8 million for television and digital advertising for Trump, according to the New York Times, and donating $1 million to the victims of Trump's attempted assassination.
He also has ties to Colombia. In 2013, Newlin posted about a trip to the South American country on his Facebook page, visiting the Presidential Palace and "helping these amazing children travel to the US."
Newlin is the second-largest personal injury firm in the U.S. with ten offices across Florida, according to the American Institute of Legal Professionals.
Newlin has a daughter, Alexis.
Who is Peter Lamelas?
Dr. Peter Lamelas, MD, MBA, a Cuban immigrant who now lives in West Palm Beach, founded MD Now Urgent Care, Florida's largest urgent health care system. Lamelas is a licensed physician trained in internal medicine and certified in emergency medicine, with a master's degree in business administration. He worked in ERs for over 20 years, including 17 years as an emergency department and fire-rescue EMS medical director, according to his LinkedIn page.
Lamelas is on multiple medical boards, was appointed by former Gov. Rick Scott to serve on the State of Florida Board of Medicine, and was previously appointed to the Department of Justice's Medal of Valor Review Board during Trump's first term.
"As a child, Peter and his family fled communist Cuba, and LEGALLY immigrated to the USA, starting with nothing, and achieving the American Dream," Trump said in a post Wednesday.
Who is Kimberly Guilfoyle?

San Fransisco native Kimberly Guilfoyle, 55, named Tuesday as Trump's ambassador to Greece, is a familiar face in the Trump circle.
"For many years, Kimberly has been a close friend and ally," Trump wrote on social media Tuesday. "Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States, and safeguard its interests abroad."
Formerly a model, a prosecuting attorney, a teacher, an assistant district attorney and a longtime Fox News host, Guilfoyle co-hosted "The Five" for seven years and "Outnumbered" for four, and appeared or guest-hosted on numerous Fox shows, signing a long-term contract in 2017 before leaving Fox News a year later amid a sexual harassment accusation, according to the Huffington Post and the New Yorker. She went to work for a pro-Trump super PAC.
Guilfoyle was named as the chair of the finance committee of the Trump Victory Committee and managed a fund-raising division for Trump in 2020 and the Huffington Post reported that the Trump campaign was secretly paying her $15,000 a month through a private company. She served as a passionate Trump supporter, giving well-paid talks at universities, raising millions for the rally before the Jan. 6 insurrection (and later testifying about Trump's role in it before the Jan. 6 House select committee), and giving a fiery speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Guilfoyle was married to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, for four years while he was mayor of San Fransisco. They divorced in 2006 and she married furniture heir Eric Villency the same year. They had a son, Ronan, but divorced in 2009. In 2018, it was confirmed that she was dating Donald Trump Jr. and in 2021, the couple bought a $9.7 million home in Jupiter, Florida. They were engaged in December 2020, although it was not made public for two more years.
Yesterday, US Weekly reported that the couple split before the election. Trump Jr. has been spotted in public with socialite Bettina Anderson.
Guilfoyle has written an advice book, "Making the Case," and a children's book, "The Princess and Her Pup."
(This story was updated with new information.)