President Donald Trump has stirred up criticism by nominating Charles Kushner, a real estate tycoon and convicted criminal, and his daughter Ivanka’s father-in-law, as the next ambassador to France.
Kushner’s past is marked by scandal. In 2005, he was convicted of tax fraud, illegal campaign contributions, and witness tampering, earning him a two-year prison sentence. One infamous incident involved Kushner orchestrating and recording a compromising video of his brother-in-law with a prostitute, which he later sent to his own sister.
In the final days of his first presidency, Trump pardoned Kushner and others with ties to Jewish and Israeli interests—a tradition among U.S. presidents.
Kushner’s son, Jared, played a significant role in Trump’s previous administration, shaping Middle East policy with a focus on Israeli priorities. While Jared’s role this time is expected to be “informal,” it will likely follow similar lines.
Defending the nomination on Truth Social, Trump called Charles Kushner “a brilliant businessman and philanthropist.” However, critics argue the move reeks of nepotism, further damaging U.S. credibility on the global stage.
