Paolo Zampolli, a longtime associate of former President Donald Trump who served as a special envoy in the U.S. State Department, announced last week that he had left his diplomatic post. The department declined to comment on the circumstances of his departure.

Zampolli, known for his close ties to the Trump family and his earlier career as a modeling agent, indicated on social media that his exit was routine and that he planned to return to the private sector. However, according to a report by Politico citing a U.S. official, Zampolli was dismissed and is no longer employed by the government.

His departure follows the recent removal of Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. ambassador to Greece and former fiancée of Donald Trump Jr., marking a significant turnover among Trump affiliates within the diplomatic ranks. Zampolli is notably credited with introducing Trump to his wife, Melania Trump.

The former envoy’s exit comes amid reports of internal disputes, including a publicized feud with State Department Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau. Emails obtained by Politico showed exchanges between Zampolli and Landau deteriorating into allegations of leaks and defamation. Landau has a history of contentious interactions with other diplomats, including a previous incident involving criticism of NATO.

In his social media message, Zampolli emphasized that special envoy appointments typically last one year, noting that President Trump had extended his tenure by over six months. He expressed gratitude to Trump, Secretary Rubio, and others for the opportunity to serve.

Zampolli’s role was largely ceremonial but kept him positioned close to influential figures in the Trump administration. At 56, he has been a visible figure within Washington’s political landscape, often highlighting his personal relationship with the former president. The two were known to share social circles in New York during the 1990s.

Separately, CBS News reported that Kristi Noem, a former homeland security secretary and a special envoy for Trump’s Shield of the Americas initiative, was reassigned as a senior adviser to Deputy Secretary Landau. Additionally, Trump's new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, was dismissed after serving only five days, underscoring a week of rapid changes within the Trump administration’s personnel.

These developments come amid broader tensions and personnel shifts within U.S. diplomatic and political circles, reflecting ongoing challenges in the administration’s inner workings.