Trump's 'alpha male' pick for US envoy to Malaysia raises questions

Choice of influencer rattles some, while others see potential direct line to President

- Hazlin Hassan

US President Donald Trump's nomination of controversial internet personality Nick Adams as the next US ambassador to Malaysia has raised not only eyebrows but also questions about the fiery right-wing influencer's suitability for the role and the state of relations between Washington and the Muslim-majority nation going forward.

While some observers expressed shock and dismay at Mr Trump's pick, others looked to possible upsides, given Mr Adams' seemingly close ties to the US leader.

Mr Adams, a 40-year-old naturalised US citizen originally from Australia, is known for his brash "alpha male" branding and bold presence on social media, detailing interests that include rare steaks and frequent visits to the Hooters restaurant chain where female servers don tight tops and short shorts. He has 625,000 followers on social media platform X and more than 60,000 on Instagram.

Having risen to prominence on a wave of machismo, misogyny and crass humour, Mr Adams' controversial online history includes Islamophobic comments, railing against purported efforts to "teach Islam in schools".

In August 2020, his post on X said: "So it's not okay for an HS (high school) football coach to pray before games, but it is okay to teach Islam in schools? Got it." The US President's nomination of Mr Adams a self-professed "alpha male" and long-time Trump loyalist who made a name for himself online and as a motivational speaker advocating a particular brand of conservative masculinity has perplexed and rattled Malaysia watchers.