Trump Appoints Donut Shop Owner as U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica

President Donald Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica is the wife of a billionaire businessman, generous Trump donor, vice president of an oil company—and—a donut shop owner. “I am pleased to announce that Melinda Hildebrand will serve as the next United States Ambassador to Costa Rica,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Thursday. “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.” Hildebrand and her husband, Jeff Hildebrand, donated over $1 million to Trump’s presidential campaign last year, Mediaite reports. Their oil and gas company Hilcorp Ventures is also one of the largest privately held oil companies in the country. The couple opened their donut shop in 2013. “I felt like I wanted to provide the neighborhood with donuts,” Melinda said at the time of the shop’s opening. “It’s as simple as that. There was a need so we are providing a service.”