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France’s establishment responded with a mix of resignation and subtle ridicule to president-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Charles Kushner, a real estate developer, pardoned felon, and relative, as the US ambassador to France.
Kushner, the father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who held several significant positions in his initial administration, is a 70-year-old real estate executive who generously contributed to Trump’s 2024 campaign.
He was also granted a presidential pardon at the end of Trump’s first term after being convicted on multiple charges including tax evasion, campaign finance violations, and witness tampering, for which he served time in prison. He was released in 2006.
“He is a remarkable business leader, philanthropist, & negotiator, who will strongly represent our Country & its interests,” Trump announced his choice for ambassador on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, pending confirmation by the US Senate.
The news was met with doubt across the Atlantic. Former French ambassador to the US Gérard Araud expressed, “I suggest reading his résumé. ‘Interesting’ as the Americans would say… Needless to say, he is unfamiliar with our country. At least he will have access to the president. We do what we can to console ourselves.”
“Does he speak French at least?” one commenter inquired. “Obviously not,” Araud responded.
Araud later added, “In the chaos of Trump’s selections, there is a clear demonstration of almost complete disregard for human respect, traditions, and the law.”
François Heisbourg, senior adviser for Europe at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, questioned whether France would reject “the nomination of this sad character” on X. “Though uncommon, this type of rejection is within the diplomatic rights of sovereign states.”
When asked for an opinion on the selection of Kushner, a French banker simply responded with an eye-roll emoji.
US ambassadorship nominees, particularly for coveted positions such as in Paris, are often political donors or allies of US presidents. Howard Leach, a food-processing magnate who did not speak French, was appointed as ambassador by George W Bush from 2001-05.
In Trump’s first term, Jamie McCourt, a campaign donor who once owned the LA Dodgers baseball team with her now ex-husband, was sent to Paris as his ambassador. However, the nomination of a convicted felon and relative is highly unusual even by recent American diplomatic standards.
The US’s initial ambassador to France was Benjamin Franklin. Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe also served in the position.
The nomination comes during a delicate period for US-France relations as Trump pushes European allies to increase defense spending significantly. During his campaign, he also raised doubts about America’s continued support for Ukraine in its conflict against Russia, while France has been a vocal advocate for Ukraine. Trump claimed he could resolve the conflict in a day without elaborating on how.
President Emmanuel Macron attempted to use charm and personal connections to improve the relationship with Trump during his first term, but this often was not enough to bridge the differences on issues ranging from NATO’s role to Middle East politics and climate agreements. Macron is now in a much weaker political position after losing snap elections he called earlier this year.
