President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he intends to nominate Charles Kushner, his son-in-law Jared Kushner’s billionaire father, to be the next U.S. ambassador to France.
Trump had pardoned the elder Kushner, a real estate scion, in the waning days of his first term for a mid-2000s felony conviction that landed Kushner in prison for more than a year.
“He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, saying Kushner would help “strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest Ally, & one of our greatest!”
Trump noted Kushner’s 1999 New Jersey “Entrepreneur of the Year” title from the company Ernst & Young, along with other accomplishments that predated his legal downfall. Trump did not mention that Kushner donated $1 million in support of his successful 2024 White House bid.
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Following his conviction, Kushner, who had been a lawyer, was disbarred in three states: New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The charges revolved around tax evasion, illegal campaign finance contributions and retaliation against a witness.
“Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their 4 children, & 14 grandchildren,” Trump wrote. “His son, Jared, worked closely with me in the White House, in particular on Operation Warp Speed, Criminal Justice Reform, & the Abraham Accords.”
Jared Kushner married Trump’s elder daughter, Ivanka Trump, in 2009. While the pair held key advisory positions in the first Trump administration, they are not expected to take part in the second.
According to Forbes, the Kushner family is worth an estimated $7.1 billion, with real estate holdings that include Kushner Companies properties and those held by individual family members.
