President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday he will nominate Charles Kushner, a wealthy New Jersey real estate developer and father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as the next U.S. ambassador to France.
Trump praised the Kushner Companies founder on Truth Social as “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, and dealmaker” who “will be a strong advocate representing our Country and its interests.” He noted Jared Kushner’s White House work on “Operation Warp Speed, Criminal Justice Reform, and the Abraham Accords.”
Kushner, 70, was convicted in 2005 of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion and witness tampering in a case prosecuted by then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie. As part of a plea agreement, he admitted to orchestrating a scheme involving a prostitute to retaliate against his brother-in-law, resulting in a two-year prison sentence.
Trump pardoned Kushner in 2020 along with 25 others. Kushner’s son Jared, who married Trump’s daughter Ivanka in 2009, served as a senior advisor during Trump’s first administration.
“Together, we will strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest Ally, and one of our greatest!” Trump wrote of the appointment.
