WASHINGTON — Nearly two decades after hearing «You’re fired!» on NBC’s «The Apprentice,» Erin Scavino says President Donald Trump chose her to lead one of the federal government’s least-known offices as it helps tell America’s story to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Scavino, director of the State Department’s Art in Embassies program, told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview inside the Art Museum of the Americas that she never imagined she’d go from reality TV to overseeing one of the Trump administration’s signature America 250 cultural initiatives.

She said she views her appointment as part of Trump’s broader effort to elevate American culture alongside American history ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

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«I was a day one hire by President Trump because just like we’ve seen with the Kennedy Center, he wanted to make the performing arts great again, and he also put me at Art in Embassies to make visual arts great,» Scavino said.

Although little known to most Americans, the Art in Embassies office has existed since 1964, placing American artwork in nearly 190 diplomatic properties around the world as a form of cultural diplomacy.

Scavino said the nation’s 250th anniversary offered an opportunity to introduce the program to a broader audience.

Opening July 30 at the Art Museum of the Americas, «Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy» will bring together more than 30 contemporary American artists whose work explores patriotism, diplomacy, military service, immigration and national identity in what organizers describe as a celebration of the ideals that have shaped the U.S. since its founding.

The exhibition, presented through a partnership between the State Department’s Office of Art in Embassies and the American Arts Conservancy, will be free to the public through Oct. 18.

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Art in Embassies Director Erin Scavino unboxes a Romero Britto artwork ahead of the opening of the State Department’s «Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy» exhibition. (Courtesy of Art in Embassies)

The exhibition spans dozens of contemporary works exploring patriotism through photography, painting, sculpture and fashion, with each gallery approaching the American story from a different perspective.

Among the featured works is «Gallantly Streaming» by acclaimed artist Barbara Ernst Prey, a sweeping interpretation of the American flag that anchors the exhibition’s exploration of national identity.

Internationally recognized pop artist Romero Britto also reimagines the Statue of Liberty in his signature bold palette for the exhibit, layering vibrant colors against the Stars and Stripes to celebrate what Scavino described as the enduring promise of the American dream.

The exhibit will feature a powerful series of photographs by Korina Marie Moore, whose images capture moments of military service through a deeply personal lens. Rather than focusing solely on combat, Moore’s photographs spotlight the men and women who serve — from sailors gathered around a U.S. Navy vessel to service members standing watch as the Statue of Liberty rises across New York Harbor and the solemnity of Arlington National Cemetery.

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A sketch of designer Kate Wasserbach Moore’s America250 couture gown, inspired by Betsy Ross’ American flag, created for the State Department’s «Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy» exhibition. (Courtesy of Art in Embassies)

Visitors will also encounter an America 250 haute couture gown created specifically for the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration, inspired by Betsy’s Ross’ flag.

For Scavino, the exhibit represents the latest chapter in a career that unexpectedly led from «The Apprentice» to the Trump administration. Looking back on that journey, she said there has been one constant.

«The common thread throughout all of this is President Trump,» Scavino said. «That’s why I always thank him so much for these great opportunities.»

Scavino says the opportunity has opened her eyes to the people behind the offices.

President Donald Trump speaks during the wedding reception of Dan and Erin Scavino at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 1, 2026. Erin Scavino told Fox News Digital Trump delivered remarks at the couple’s wedding and later called to say he enjoyed the celebration. (Al Drago/Getty Images)

«Every time you learn about someone’s job, you’re actually understanding a whole new universe,» she said. «That’s what’s really special about the State Department.»

«People often think [the State Department is] really serious, and yes, of course, there’s so much diplomacy and so many very serious things that are going on,» Scavino said. «But there are so many interesting components, like Art in Embassies.»

«This isn’t something that was created for me,» she added. «Art in Embassies has been around since 1964 under President Kennedy… Every time you learn about someone’s job, you’re actually understanding a whole new universe.»

Scavino said one of her goals was to create an exhibition that feels welcoming to visitors who might never consider themselves «art people.»

Korina Marie Moore’s photograph «Facing Liberty» depicts two U.S. service members looking toward the Statue of Liberty. The work is featured in the State Department’s «Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy» exhibition. (Courtesy Art in Embassies)

«Art has become sort of a gatekeeping situation or something that’s only for the rich or the elite,» she said. «I wanted to say, ‘Hey, no. We want kids. We want grandparents. We want moms. We want families. We want dads. We want people all over the world to come to this museum because there is something for everyone.’»

Each artwork includes QR codes allowing visitors to hear directly from artists about their work and creative process, an effort Scavino said makes the exhibit more approachable.

«You don’t have to have your nose in the air saying, ‘Oh, that Monet’ or ‘That Degas,’» she said. «You’re going to see a flag. You’re going to see a sculpture. You’re going to hear Americans tell their stories.»

Scavino pointed to Romero Britto’s colorful Statue of Liberty piece, «Liberty for All,» as one example of the American dream reflected throughout the exhibit.

Romero Britto’s «Liberty for All» is featured in the State Department’s «Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy» exhibition celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. (Courtesy of Art in Embassies)

«When I think about his hearts or his Statue of Liberty, it just makes me think about the American dream,» she said. «He is so patriotic and he loves this country.»

«There are so many stories that are often overlooked,» Scavino said. «We show pictures of loss. We show people that have lost their lives for this nation. We show people who are celebrating serving our country… I think that we have to honor those who have served.»

One of the exhibition’s most unexpected pieces isn’t a painting or sculpture — it’s a couture gown inspired by Betsy Ross’ American flag.

Scavino said the idea came while she was searching for a wedding dress ahead of her February wedding to fellow Trump administration official Dan Scavino at Mar-a-Lago, when she discovered designer Kate Wasserbach Moore, whose appreciation for American history sparked an unusual collaboration.

Erin Elmore, director of Art in Embassies at the State Department, arrives for her wedding to Dan Scavino, White House deputy chief of staff, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 1, 2026. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

«I cold-called her out of the blue and said, ‘Can you create a dress that looks like something one of the wives of our Founding Fathers would have worn and make it patriotic?’» Scavino recalled.

The finished design, featuring flowing red-and-white accents inspired by Betsy Ross’ flag, was created for the exhibition rather than the aisle, adding fashion to a collection that otherwise spans photography, painting and sculpture.

«To me, patriotic, red, white and blue, and also fashion—how much better does it get for a girl?» Scavino said.

Although Art in Embassies typically works overseas, Scavino said creating a major public exhibition in Washington had been one of her goals since taking over the office.

«I started with a dream because Art in Embassies is generally overseas,» she said. «I wanted to do something, to start a footprint here in the United States.»

That idea quickly gained momentum.

«The Art Museum of the Americas said yes,» Scavino recalled. «And the second surprise was that I unfortunately don’t have enough space for everyone. So many people generously wanted to participate.»

Kyler Steele’s photograph «Silence,» depicting rows of headstones at Arlington National Cemetery, is featured in the State Department’s «Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy» exhibition celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. (Courtesy Art in Embassies)

For Scavino, the exhibition is ultimately less about individual works than the conversations they may inspire.

«What I love about art is it’s totally different from politics,» she said. «You can get in the door by talking about art… and maybe instead of tear down, we can come together.»

She said that’s especially important because, for many people overseas, an American embassy may be their first — and sometimes only — connection to the United States.

«Sometimes in these small nations that are so foreign to us, the only touchpoint they have to America is our embassy and our ambassador,» Scavino said. «So it is so much more important than I ever thought it would be.»

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Scavino hopes visitors leave with a deeper appreciation not only for the artwork, but for the stories it tells about the nation it represents.

«You only get to celebrate 250 years once,» she said. «So let art be a way of celebration.»

El Gobierno francés calificó este domingo de “absolutamente inaceptables” y “aberrantes” las declaraciones del expresidente del Gobierno español Mariano Rajoy, quien afirmó que la selección francesa de fútbol tiene “un altísimo nivel, eso sí, sin franceses”.

Lo hizo en una columna publicada por El Debate tras la clasificación de España para las semifinales del Mundial en las que se enfrentará a Francia.

“Si esa declaración es exacta, es absolutamente inaceptable. No refleja en absoluto lo que es Francia”, afirmó el ministro de Interior, Laurent Nuñez, en una entrevista en la televisión BMF TV.

En Madrid también hubo una ola de repudio contra Rajoy.

El presidente del gobierno español, el socialista Pedro Sánchez, condenó las “declaraciones xenófobas” del anterior jefe de gobierno.“Hay quien todavía mide la pertenencia por el apellido, el lugar de nacimiento o el color de piel. Otros la medimos por el arraigo a un país y la voluntad de contribuir a él”, indicó en un mensaje en la red social X.

“España es de quien la ama y la trabaja. No de a quién la avergüenza con declaraciones xenófobas. Francia, nos vemos en semifinales. Que gane el mejor y que pierda el racismo”, agregó.

También hubo condenas del oficialista Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE) y el izquierdista Podemos.

“Un país de diversidad”

Desde París, el ministro Nuñez defendió que Francia es “un país de diversidad, donde todo el mundo puede desarrollarse y encontrar su lugar”.

Además, lamentó que este tipo de comentarios alimenten los ataques racistas contra los jugadores de la selección francesa, en particular contra su capitán, Kylian Mbappé, a quien la senadora paraguaya Celeste Amarilla le atacó por sus raíces africanas.

“Creo que todavía nos queda mucho camino por recorrer para vivir todos juntos con cohesión. Francia es una República en la que todo el mundo tiene su lugar, sea cual sea su origen, sus convicciones o su religión, siempre que se respeten las reglas comunes de la República”, afirmó.

Añadió que declaraciones como esas “no ofrecen una imagen de esperanza” a muchos jóvenes franceses y confesó que le producen “desolación”.

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Nuñez enmarcó además la polémica en el debate sobre la identidad nacional y rechazó la visión de quienes oponen una supuesta “Francia histórica” o “Francia cristiana” -defendida por la extrema derecha- a una “nueva Francia” -tesis de la extrema izquierda-.

“Solo hay una Francia”, afirmó, “una República en la que todo el mundo debe poder encontrar su lugar”, insistió.

Por su parte, la ministra delegada encargada de la Francofonía, las Alianzas Internacionales y los Franceses en el Extranjero, Éléonore Caroit, condenó los ataques dirigidos contra la selección francesa.

Al respecto, aseguró: “Ya vengan de una senadora paraguaya o de un expresidente español, ya sean escandalosos o más insidiosos, todos los ataques racistas contra el equipo de Francia son inaceptables”.

“Todos los jugadores del equipo de Francia son franceses. Punto final”, afirmó la ministra.

Además, afirmó: “Estos comentarios aberrantes no les impedirán brillar en el terreno de juego. Toda Francia está detrás de sus Bleus”.

A las críticas se sumó el primer secretario del Partido Socialista (PS), Olivier Faure, quien rechazó las palabras de Rajoy y defendió que “la selección de Francia está formada únicamente por franceses”.

“Francia no es una nación étnica. No tiene un color de piel ni una religión. Es una nación política unida en torno al lema de la República”, escribió Faure en sus redes sociales. Y añadió: “Por mucho que le disguste a la derecha racista”.

También el secretario general del Partido Comunista Francés, Fabien Roussel, reaccionó con dureza a las declaraciones de Rajoy: “Antes una senadora de Paraguay, ahora el expresidente del Gobierno de España: ¡no pueden evitar expresar un racismo burdo para intentar desestabilizar a nuestra magnífica selección de Francia!”, escribió en redes sociales.

(Con información de EFE)

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., never wanted President Donald Trump to be nominated, let alone win the presidency in 2016.

«If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed…….and we will deserve it,» Graham said on X at the time.

Graham had run on the same ticket as Trump, and like many other Republicans on the debate stage, challenged Trump’s candidacy as preposterous — he once likened his candidacy to ‘being shot in the head.’»

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But Trump ultimately clinched the nomination, took the White House and eventually won over Graham.

Now, in the fast-moving hours after Graham’s sudden death at 71 years old, and as private jockeying to fill his empty seat takes place behind the scenes, Trump has lost a once-fierce political enemy turned friend.

Trump told NBC’s «Meet the Press» that he had just spoken with Graham the night before and believed «It could have been his last call.»

«I don’t know exactly, but I got a message about 1:00 in the morning from one of the people in his office that he had passed away. I said, ‘I just can’t believe it,’» Trump said. «He was like a member of the family to me. It’s very tough, actually.»

It wasn’t always that way for Trump. He once told a crowd in South Carolina nine years ago that Graham was a «disgrace,» and «one of the dumbest human beings I’ve ever seen.»

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«I don’t think he could run for dogcatcher in this state and win again,» Trump said at the time. «I really don’t. Other than that, I think he’s wonderful.»

Still, their relationship evolved from potshots online and on the debate stage into steadfast friends who weren’t shy about hitting the golf course.

Graham transformed into one of Trump’s most vocal allies in the Senate and a key bridge from the upper chamber to the White House during Trump’s second term — even after Graham believed Trump should never step foot in the White House.

After winning his primary for the GOP nomination in June, Trump was almost top of mind for Graham.

«I want to thank the big guy, God,» Graham said during a speech last month. «Trump comes later. Mr. President, you’re not far behind God, but we’re going to start with him.»

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Donald Trump and Lindsey Graham pose for a picture on a golf course on June 28, 2025. (Sen. Lindsey Graham via X)

But that reverence, be it political or sincere, took time. Years ago, Trump at one point grew so angry at Graham that he leaked the lawmaker’s phone number online, which prompted Graham to make a show of destroying several of his phones.

And after the Jan. 6, 2021, riots on Capitol Hill, Graham turned his back on Trump.

«Trump and I, we’ve had a hell of a journey. I hate it to end this way. Oh my God, I hate it. From my point of view, he’s been a consequential president,» Graham said on the Senate floor as the vote to certify the election neared. «All I can say is count me out. Enough is enough.»

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In the run-up to and during Trump’s second term, Graham became a fierce ally of Trump’s.

He led the vanguard for the «one, big beautiful bill,» as Senate Budget Committee chair and has championed Trump’s flagship election integrity legislation, the SAVE America Act.

And in the hallways of the Senate during the last year and a half, you’d often hear Graham say he’d just spoken with Trump or was headed to the White House to hammer out a legislative dispute — be it with Democrats standing in the way or Republicans.

Now, after a rocky, explosive and tight-knit journey together, the road has run out.

«I said, ‘We’ll see you soon,’» Trump recalled of his last call with Graham. «Come over anytime you want. He came into the White House, because I liked him. Can’t do that with everybody.»