On November 30, President-elect Donald Trump revealed his intention to nominate Charles Kushner for the role of United States ambassador to France. Kushner, a real estate developer, is also the father of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.
This nomination follows Trump’s pardon of Kushner four years prior. Kushner had previously served a two-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2005 for tax evasion, witness tampering, and making illegal campaign contributions.
Trump announced the nomination on his Truth Social platform, where he lauded Kushner for his business acumen, philanthropy, and deal-making capabilities. He stressed Kushner’s potential role in bolstering America’s relationship with France, and highlighted his accolades, including the 1999 Ernst & Young New Jersey “Entrepreneur of the Year” award.
Kushner’s legal issues originated from a family dispute that escalated into criminal charges. He confessed to filing false tax returns that misreported over $1 million in partnership charitable contributions as office expenses, leading to IRS losses of $200,000 to $325,000.
Kushner admitted, as part of his guilty plea, to orchestrating a scheme against his brother-in-law, who was assisting federal investigators. He employed a prostitute to entice his brother-in-law, secretly recorded the encounter, and sent the footage to his brother-in-law’s wife, Kushner’s sister.
Chris Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, handled the prosecution in the case. He described the crime as one of the most repugnant he had ever come across. After his conviction, Kushner was disbarred in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. His nomination must receive Senate approval, and it is uncertain how his past might impact this process.
Over recent years, the business interests of the Kushner family have expanded considerably. The family’s primary business, Kushner Companies, currently valued at $2.9 billion, has shifted its focus to apartment developments and properties outside New York City, particularly in the Baltimore-Washington area and the Sun Belt region.
The Kushner family’s net worth has seen significant growth, rising from $1.8 billion in 2016 to an estimated $7.1 billion, surpassing the value of Trump’s real estate portfolio.
Jared Kushner, Charles Kushner’s son and Trump’s daughter Ivanka’s husband, served as a senior advisor during the Trump administration. Trump mentioned Jared’s contribution to initiatives like Operation Warp Speed, Criminal Justice Reform, and the Abraham Accords. However, neither Jared nor Ivanka Trump are expected to hold official positions in a prospective second Trump administration.
Trump’s decision to appoint Kushner could face further scrutiny due to his tense relationship with French President Emmanuel Macron, and his past support for Macron’s far-right opponent.
Charles Kushner’s nomination appears to be the first time Trump has offered an official administration role to a family member since his re-election. Charles Kushner was a significant contributor to Trump’s 2024 campaign.