Does it all stay in the family? Trump appoints Jewish son-in-law as ambassador to France

November 30, 2024   

President-elect Donald Trump announced this evening (Saturday) the appointment of Charles Kushner as the next United States ambassador to France. Kushner, a 70-year-old American Jew, real estate developer and lawyer from New Jersey, is the father of Jared Kushner, who is married to Trump's daughter, Ivanka. Charles was born Hanan to Holocaust survivors from Poland who immigrated to the United States. He grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and attended Hofstra University Law School in New York. Trump stated: "Charles is an excellent businessman and philanthropist who will be a strong representative of our country and its interests. Charlie is the founder and chairman of the Kushner Company, one of the largest and most successful private real estate companies in the United States. He was recognized as New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, was appointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, and served as Commissioner and Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, as well as on the boards of our leading institutions, including New York University. "Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife, Cyril, their 4 children, and 14 grandchildren. His son, Jared, worked closely with me at the White House. "Together, we will strengthen America's partnership with France, our oldest and one of our greatest allies." Charles Kushner was pardoned by Trump in 2020 after serving a prison sentence for federal charges. Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, were extremely influential during Trump's first term, but after the January 6th break-in at the Capitol and their failure to support allegations of 'election theft,' their relationship with their father cooled and the couple barely took part in the 2024 campaign. However, after winning the election, the two stood on stage alongside the president-elect.