President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday on Truth Social that he plans to nominate real estate developer Charles Kushner, the father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, as the next U.S. ambassador to France.
Calling Kushner “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker,” Trump’s choice is already drawing sharp criticism due to Kushner’s criminal past and controversial reputation in politics and real estate.
Kushner, 69, is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate empire with over $3 billion in properties across New Jersey and beyond. He is also the father of Jared Kushner, Trump’s senior adviser during his presidency and husband to Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka Trump.
The elder Kushner’s background, however, is marred by a high-profile conviction for tax evasion, illegal campaign donations, and witness tampering. In 2005, he pleaded guilty to 18 felony counts and served two years in federal prison. His case gained notoriety for a scheme in which Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law into a compromising position and sent video footage of the encounter to his own sister as a means of intimidation. At the time, the U.S. attorney prosecuting the case, Chris Christie, called the crimes “loathsome” and “disgusting.”
Despite this, Trump pardoned Kushner in December 2020, citing his success as a businessman and his philanthropic contributions.
The announcement has prompted strong reactions from political figures and analysts. Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute of New Jersey Politics at Rider University, expressed his outrage on X (formerly known as Twitter), writing, “Charlie Kushner? This is madness. And we always get the government we deserve.”
Kushner’s political connections run deep. He was once the single largest campaign donor to former New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, who appointed him chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He also hosted fundraising events for prominent Democrats including President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.
The decision to tap Kushner for the prestigious ambassadorship is seen by critics as another example of Trump rewarding close allies and associates, regardless of controversy. Trump and the elder Kushner have a long-standing relationship, dating back to their shared history in the New York and New Jersey real estate worlds. Their families were further entwined when Jared Kushner married Ivanka Trump in 2009.
As ambassador to France, Kushner would be tasked with strengthening U.S.-French relations at a time of global instability and shifting alliances. The position traditionally requires Senate confirmation, where Kushner’s past crimes and Trump’s loyalty-driven nomination process are likely to face intense scrutiny.
Whether Kushner’s deep pockets and personal connection to Trump outweigh the controversy surrounding his past remains to be seen, but the announcement has already ignited debate over the standards for public service under Trump’s administration.
