President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he has chosen New York real estate developer Charles Kushner to be his ambassador to France, praising him as a “great business leader, philanthropist, and dealmaker.” social media posts.
“Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their four children, and their 14 grandchildren,” Trump wrote. “His son, Jared, worked closely with me in the White House, particularly on Operation Warp Speed, criminal justice reform, and the Abraham Accords. , will continue to strengthen America’s partnership with France, one of our greatest nations.
All U.S. ambassador nominees must be confirmed by the Senate. If approved, Kushner would take over the role from Dennis Campbell Bauer.
The 70-year-old businessman was the founder of the private real estate firm Kushner Companies and a lawyer. His son, Jared Kushner, is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka and served as a senior adviser to Trump during his first term.
In 2005, Mr. Kushner was convicted by a federal jury of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering. Former New Jersey governor and federal prosecutor Chris Christie charged Kushner with the following charges:one of the most abominable and abhorrent crimes” he once charged. Kushner served two years in prison before returning to real estate.
President Trump pardoned Kushner in 2020, just one month before the end of his first term.
Relations between France and the United States are particularly important on issues such as trade and security, amid concerns that President Trump may withdraw the United States from the NATO military alliance.
Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney contributed reporting.
