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Tom Barrack

Thomas Joseph Barrack Jr.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Thomas Joseph Barrack Jr. is an American real estate investor and private equity executive who founded Colony Capital, later known as DigitalBridge. He has been a longtime associate of Donald Trump, served as chairman of Trump’s 2017 inaugural committee, and later became the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria in Trump’s second administration.

Early life and business career

Barrack was born in 1947 and built his career in real estate and private equity. He founded Colony Capital, a Los Angeles-based firm that grew into a major investment company and later rebranded as DigitalBridge.

Relationship with Donald Trump

Barrack and Trump were associated for decades, and Barrack became one of Trump’s prominent public allies. He served as a senior adviser to Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and chaired the inaugural committee after Trump’s election.

In 2021, federal prosecutors charged Barrack with foreign lobbying-related offences over alleged work on behalf of the United Arab Emirates. A jury later found him not guilty on all counts, including conspiracy, obstruction, and false statements.

Diplomatic service

In Trump’s second administration, Barrack was appointed U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria. According to the U.S. embassy in Türkiye, he was nominated in March 2025 and confirmed by the Senate in April 2025.

Key facts

  • Founded Colony Capital (now DigitalBridge), a major real estate and private equity firm.
  • Longtime associate of Donald Trump; chaired Trump’s 2017 inaugural committee and served as senior campaign adviser.
  • Acquitted in 2021 of all foreign lobbying-related charges.
  • Appointed U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria in Trump’s second administration.
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Canadian context

Barrack’s relevance to Canadian readers is mainly through international politics, U.S.-Turkey relations, and Middle East diplomacy, which can affect NATO and broader transatlantic policy.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Tom Barrack?
Tom Barrack is an American real estate investor, private equity executive, and diplomat who founded Colony Capital and later served as U.S. ambassador to Turkey.
What is Tom Barrack best known for?
He is best known for founding Colony Capital and for his close political relationship with Donald Trump, including chairing Trump’s inaugural committee.
Was Tom Barrack charged in a criminal case?
Yes. In 2021 he was charged with foreign lobbying-related offences, but he was later found not guilty on all counts.
What role did he play in Trump’s 2016 campaign?
He served as a senior adviser to Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and was a prominent public supporter.
What diplomatic position does he hold?
He serves as the U.S. ambassador to Türkiye and as U.S. special envoy for Syria.

References

  1. U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye — https://tr.usembassy.gov/ambassador/
    Supports: Barrack’s ambassadorial role, nomination and confirmation dates, career background, and biographical details.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Barrack
    Supports: Overview of Barrack’s relationship with Trump and his current diplomatic roles.
  3. ABC News — https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-ally-tom-barrack-found-guilty-foreign-lobbying/story?id=92668480
    Supports: Acquittal on foreign lobbying-related charges and case details.
  4. PBS NewsHour — https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/jury-finds-trump-ally-tom-barrack-not-guilty-of-foreign-agent-charges
    Supports: Jury verdict of not guilty on all counts.
  5. Los Angeles Times — https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2021-07-20/tom-barrack-trump-inaugural-committee-arrested-uae
    Supports: 2021 arrest and allegations involving the United Arab Emirates.
  6. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/25/politics/barrack-trump-lobbying-charges
    Supports: Barrack’s long relationship with Trump, his role in the campaign and inaugural committee, and the investigation context.
  7. Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Thomas_Barrack_Jr.
    Supports: Barrack as founder and executive chairman of Colony Capital.