Trump Appoints Jared Kushner's Father as Ambassador to France

The move highlights Trump's ties to family in political appointments and could face challenges in the Senate due to Kushner's criminal history.

Donald Trump has made headlines once again by selecting Charles Kushner, the father of Jared Kushner and father-in-law to Ivanka Trump, as his nominee for ambassador to France. This announcement came through a post on Trump's social media platform, Truth Social, in which he lauded the elder Kushner as a “tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker,” indicating confidence in his ability to advocate for U.S. interests abroad.

This nomination marks a significant moment in Trump's post-re-election administration, as it is the first official appointment involving a family member. However, Charles Kushner's history could pose a challenge as the nomination awaits approval from the U.S. Senate. In 2005, Kushner pleaded guilty to federal offenses, including tax evasion and witness tampering, leading to a two-year prison sentence. His case was notably prosecuted by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who described Kushner's actions as “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes” he encountered in his legal career.

Donald Trump previously pardoned Charles Kushner in 2020, among a series of high-profile pardons that also included figures like Paul Manafort and Roger Stone. As Trump expressed his desire to bolster U.S.-France relations through this appointment, he also highlighted his son-in-law Jared Kushner's contributions during the prior administration. With the Senate set to review Kushner's nomination, the political and legal implications of his past remain a significant aspect of this story.