Real Estate Heavyweight Charles Kushner Tapped as US Ambassador to France
Former President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Charles Kushner, the seasoned real estate magnate and father of Jared Kushner, as the U.S. ambassador to France.
“I am pleased to nominate Charles Kushner of New Jersey as United States Ambassador to France,” Trump declared on his social media platform, Truth Social. “He is an extraordinary business leader, philanthropist and negotiator who will be a staunch defender of our country and its interests.”
Kushner’s appointment, pending Senate confirmation, comes as a surprising yet strategic move by the former president. Kushner, who founded and chairs Kushner Companies, one of the nation’s leading privately held real estate firms, boasts an impressive resume of achievements.
“Charlie is the founder and chairman of Kushner Companies, one of the nation’s largest and most successful privately held real estate companies. He was recognized as New Jersey’s Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, appointed to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, and served as commissioner and chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, as well as serving on the boards of our major institutions, including NYU.”
Trump lauded Kushner’s qualifications, expressing confidence in his ability to strengthen the longstanding ties between the United States and France. “He will be a brilliant ambassador and will work tirelessly to forge strong and productive relationships with the French government,” Trump stated.
The announcement follows a wave of high-profile nominations by Trump, reflecting his desire to install trusted allies in key diplomatic positions. While Kushner enjoys a vocal advocate in Trump, his past legal troubles may face scrutiny during the confirmation process.
In 2005, Kushner pleaded guilty to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering, and illegal campaign donations. He served a year in federal prison before receiving a pardon from Trump in December 2020.
While Kushner’s legal history is likely to be a point of contention during Senate hearings, his experience in business and government, coupled with his family ties to the former president, suggest a potential for confirmation.
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A Family Affair: Jared Kushner’s Role in Lobbying for the Appointment
The nomination also sheds light on the enduring influence of Jared Kushner, the former president’s son-in-law and senior advisor during his White House tenure, who notably worked alongside Trump on significant policy initiatives like Operation Warp Speed, criminal justice reform, and the Abraham Accords.
Putting aside former family tensions, Trump signaled overwhelming support for his son-in-law’s father. “Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their 4 children and 14 grandchildren. His son, Jared, worked closely with me at the White House, particularly on Operation Warp Speed, criminal justice reform, and the Abraham Accords. Together, we will strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest ally, and one of our greatest!”
While Jared Kushner’s precise role in pushing for this nomination remains uncertain, his close relationship with both Trump and his father undoubtedly played a part. His deep involvement with his father’s business ventures and his experience navigating the intricacies of Washington politics position him as a likely influencer in securing this appointment.
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Navigating the Confirmation Landscape
Charles Kushner faces a potentially arduous confirmation process in the Senate.
While Republicans are expected to rally behind Trump’s nominee, Democrats may raise concerns about his past conviction and suitability for such a high-profile diplomatic role.
Kushner’s legal history and the nature of his offenses could be subject to intense scrutiny during committee hearings.
The outcome of his confirmation vote will depend on several factors, including the political climate in the Senate and the level of support he ultimately garners from both sides of the aisle.
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What implications does Dr. Carter suggest Charles Kushner’s nomination might have for US foreign policy?
## Interview with Diplomatic Analyst on Charles Kushner’s Nomination
**Host:** Joining us today is Dr. Emily Carter, a renowned expert on US foreign policy and diplomatic appointments. Dr. Carter, thank you for being with us.
**Dr. Carter:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** Today we’re discussing former President Trump’s nomination of Charles Kushner, father of Jared Kushner, as the US Ambassador to France. This announcement certainly raised eyebrows.
What are your initial thoughts on this nomination?
**Dr. Carter:** Well, this nomination is certainly surprising on several levels. While Charles Kushner has a strong business background and connections in New York and New Jersey, his lack of formal diplomatic experience is notable.
This choice appears to be another example of former President Trump prioritizing personal loyalty and familial ties in his diplomatic appointments [[1](https://www.rawstory.com/charles-kushner/)].
**Host:** Kushner’s past legal troubles might also be a hurdle during the Senate confirmation process.
**Dr. Carter:** Absolutely. His 2005 conviction on charges of tax evasion, witness tampering, and illegal campaign donations, compounded by the fact that he received a pardon from the former president, will undoubtedly be scrutinized by the Senate.
Democrats are likely to raise serious questions about his suitability for such a high-profile diplomatic post.
**Host:** Trump’s statement mentions Kushner’s “extraordinary business acumen” and calls him a “brilliant” negotiator. Do these qualities necessarily translate to success as an ambassador?
**Dr. Carter:**
While business skills can be transferable to certain aspects of diplomacy, ambassadorial roles demand nuanced understanding of international relations, cultural sensitivities, and foreign policy goals.
It remains to be seen if Mr. Kushner possesses the diplomatic finesse necessary to navigate the complexities of Franco-American relations.
**Host:** what does this nomination potentially suggest about the direction of US foreign policy under a potential Trump resurgence?
**Dr. Carter:** This nomination, along with other recent appointments by the former president, points to a potential inward-looking and transactional approach to foreign policy.
It indicates a preference for individuals with strong personal connections to the former President rather than seasoned diplomats with deep foreign policy expertise.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Carter, for providing such insightful analysis.
**Dr. Carter:** My pleasure.
