Biden considering Bob Iger, Jeffrey Katzenberg as ambassadors: report

Film producer Jeffrey Katzenberg and Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger are reportedly both under consideration for ambassadorships in President-elect Joe Biden’s administration, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

A report published on the website Wednesday said that Iger is being considered to be Biden’s ambassador to China or possibly the U.K., major roles that would make him one of the most important members of Biden’s diplomatic team, with both countries currently involved in trade negotiations with the U.S.

Katzenberg, who chaired Disney’s studio arm from 1984 to 1994, is also in the running for an ambassadorship, according to the Reporter, though it was not specified for which positions he was being considered.

Biden transition team officials cautioned against the report, calling any discussions of such ambassadorships “premature” in an emailed statement.

Both men supported Biden’s campaign during the 2020 election and donated to the Biden Victory Fund, a joint fundraising effort between the campaign, the Democratic National Committee and state parties.

Iger indicated as recently as earlier this month that he would accept a position in Biden’s administration were it to be offered. He previously clashed publicly with President Trump and departed Trump’s Presidential Advisory Council after the U.S. exited the Paris climate agreement.

“Giving back in some fashion — serving our country in some fashion — is certainly something that I would consider seriously,” Iger said during an interview with the Carlyle Group’s David Rubenstein for Bloomberg TV.

“But a lot of it would depend on what it is, what the opportunity is, and whether I thought it would be something that I would both be stimulated by and be good at,” he continued at the time.

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