President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he has chosen New York real estate developer Charles Kushner as his ambassador to France. He called him “a great business leader, philanthropist and dealmaker” in a social media post.
“Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their four children and fourteen grandchildren,” Trump wrote. “His son, Jared, has worked closely with me in 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!
All nominees for U.S. ambassadors must be confirmed by the Senate. If confirmed, Kushner would take over the role from Denise Campbell Bauer.
The 70-year-old business magnate is the founder of the private real estate company Kushner Companies and was also an attorney. 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, the elder Kushner was convicted by a federal jury of making illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion and witness tampering. Former New Jersey Governor and federal prosecutor Chris Christie filed the charges against Kushner, calling it “one of the most heinous and abhorrent crimes” he has ever prosecuted. Kushner served two years in prison before returning to his real estate business.
Trump pardoned Kushner in 2020, just a month before the end of his first term.
France’s relationship with the US is especially important on trade and security, amid fears that Trump will withdraw the US from the NATO military alliance.
Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney contributed reporting.
