Trump Nominates Charles Kushner as Ambassador to France

The nomination has raised eyebrows due to Charles Kushner's prior convictions and close familial ties to the Trump administration.

Donald Trump announced on Saturday his intention to nominate Charles Kushner as the ambassador to France, marking a controversial choice given Kushner's challenging legal history and familial connection to the Trump family. A prominent real estate developer and the father of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, Charles Kushner was previously convicted on federal charges, including tax evasion and witness tampering, for which he served two years in prison.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump commended Mr. Kushner as "a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker," predicting he would excel as an advocate for American interests overseas. This marks the first time Trump has appointed a relative to an official position since his re-election, prompting scrutiny about the implications of such nepotism.

While all ambassador appointments are subject to Senate confirmation, Kushner's past could complicate this process. The prosecution of Charles Kushner included serious allegations such as orchestrating a scheme to intimidate a cooperating brother-in-law. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who prosecuted the case, described Kushner's actions as "one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes" he has ever encountered.

Despite this, Trump praised both Jared and Charles Kushner’s contributions to his administration and expressed an eagerness to collaborate with the elder Kushner on enhancing America's long-standing relationship with France. As tensions concerning Trump’s son-in-law's involvement in politics continue, all eyes will be on the Senate as they evaluate this unusual nomination.