Donald Trump has nominated Charles Kushner, a businessman and father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Ivanka, as US ambassador to France, the president-elect said on Saturday.
Kushner, whose job requires Senate confirmation, is Trump’s latest choice to maintain close ties with the new president. Kushner’s son, Jared Kushner, is married to Ivanka Trump and was a close adviser to Trump during his first presidency.
“I am pleased to nominate Charles Kushner of New Jersey as U.S. Ambassador to France. He is a great business leader, philanthropist and dealmaker who will be a strong advocate for representing our country and its interests,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“Charlie is the founder and chairman of Kushner Companies, one of the largest and most successful private real estate companies in the country. He was recognized by Ernst & Young as New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year, appointed to the US Holocaust Memorial Council, and served as commissioner and chairman of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, as well as on the boards of directors of our top institutions, including NYU [New York University].”
Kushner is no longer a member of NYU’s board of directors. In 2005, he pleaded guilty to 18 counts of illegal campaign contributions and tax evasion, as well as witness tampering, after retaliating against his brother-in-law, William Schulder, who cooperated with federal investigators.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Kushner admitted to hiring a sex worker to seduce Schulder, videotaping the encounter and sending the tape to Schulder’s wife, Kushner’s sister. He was sentenced to two years in prison.
Trump pardoned Kushner in 2020, stating that he was “committed to important philanthropic organizations and causes.”
Kushner donated $100,000 to a pro-Trump group in 2015, and $1 million to a pro-Trump super Pac in 2023.
“Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their four children and fourteen grandchildren,” Trump wrote in his message announcing the nomination. Trump did not mention that three of those grandchildren are also Trump’s grandchildren.
