President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he has chosen New York real estate developer Charles Kushner as his ambassador to France, calling him “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist and dealmaker” in a social media post.
“Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their 4 children and 14 grandchildren,” Trump wrote. “His son, Jared, 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 and one of our greatest allies!
All candidates for US ambassador 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 private real estate firm Kushner Companies and is also a former lawyer. His son Jared Kushner is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka and was a senior adviser to Trump during his first term.
In 2005, Kushner’s father 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 them “one of the most disgusting and disgusting crimes”He 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 United States is particularly important on issues such as trade and security, amid fears that Trump could pull the United States out of the NATO military alliance.
Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney contributed reporting.