Trump selects Charles Kushner as ambassador to France

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he has chosen New York real estate developer Charles Kushner to be his Ambassador to France, calling him “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker” in a social media post.

“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. Together, we will strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest Ally, & one of our greatest!”

All U.S. ambassador nominees must be confirmed by the Senate. If confirmed, Kushner would take over the role from Denise Campbell Bauer.

The 70-year-old business mogul is the founder of private real estate firm Kushner Companies and was also an attorney. His son Jared Kushner is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka and was a senior adviser to Trump during his first term.

In 2005, the elder Kushner 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 brought the charges against Kushner, calling it “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes” he ever prosecuted. Kushner served two years in prison before returning to his real estate business.

Trump pardoned Kushner in 2020, just one month before the end of his first term.

France’s relationship with the U.S. is particularly important on issues like trade and security, amid fears that Trump may pull the U.S. out of the NATO military alliance.

Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney contributed reporting.