The circle of loyalists around Donald Trump who hold government posts is expanding. Realtor Charles Kushner, the father-in-law of his daughter Ivanka, has been appointed by the president-elect as the next U.S. ambassador to France.
Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, “I am pleased to nominate Charles Kushner, of New Jersey, to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to France. He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests. His son, Jared, worked closely with me in the White House, in particular on Operation Warp Speed, Criminal Justice Reform, & the Abraham Accords. Together, we will strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest Ally, & one of our greatest!” The younger Kushner has explicitly said he has no plans to take on any role during the second Trump administration, despite being instrumental in foreign policy during his first term.
In 2005, Charles Kushner was convicted of “one of the most disgusting and repugnant crimes”–tax evasion, retaliation against a federal witness, and perjury before the Federal Election Commission–that New Jersey U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, who covered the case, ever prosecuted. Kushner had blackmailed his brother-in-law William Schulder after discovering that the latter was cooperating with authorities on the case in which he was under investigation for making illegal campaign contributions at the time. The real estate agent had hired a prostitute and filmed the meeting with Schulder in a motel with a hidden camera, then showed the recording to the offender’s sister and wife. Kushner served a two-year prison term. At the end of his first term, Trump pardoned him in December 2020.
Like many of the others that Trump has appointed or nominated to high positions in his upcoming administration, Charles Kushner does not have any formal experience in the post he will be filling. He has not previously had any involvement in diplomacy or international relations. His nomination as U.S. Ambassador to France is primarily based on his personal relationship and his proven loyalty to Trump.
While Kushner is the only appointee thus far to actually have a criminal record, others that Trump has appointed or nominated have highly controversial records, with several who have have faced allegations of sexual misconduct, including Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Elon Musk.
