Sergio Gor rejects promotion rumors: “Rubio is indispensable”

Sergio Gor, the U.S. ambassador to India and special envoy for South and Central Asia who was born in Tashkent, rejected reports that he was being considered for secretary of state or White House chief of staff after the Republicans’ defeat in the midterm elections.

Following the Republican Party’s defeat in the November 3 midterm elections, Washington began discussing possible personnel changes in Donald Trump’s administration. The Washington Sun reported, citing ten informed sources, that U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor was preparing the ground for a major promotion.

According to the sources, Gor’s name was being mentioned in connection with the position of White House chief of staff, the post of secretary of state in place of Marco Rubio, and the position of deputy secretary of state. Neither Rubio nor White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has publicly said they intend to leave. One of Trump’s advisers told the newspaper that the president “adores” Gor.

Саида Мирзиёева, Комил Алламжонов, Марко Рубио и Серджио Гор на встрече в Вашингтоне в апреле 2026 года (архив)

Gor called the publication completely fabricated. “Secretary of State Marco Rubio has proven that he is the most qualified, successful and greatest secretary of state in history. He is indispensable and my dear friend,” he said, adding that he was not interested in any other position. The State Department and the White House also described the reports as rumors from anonymous sources.

Gor was born in Tashkent when Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union. In addition to serving as ambassador in New Delhi, a post he has held since November 2025, he is the U.S. special envoy for South and Central Asia. Gor played a key role in preparing Rubio’s October visit to Uzbekistan and organized Trump’s meeting with the leaders of Central Asian countries at the White House.