Charles Kushner’s nomination as U.S. Ambassador to France renews scrutiny of Trump’s pardon power and diplomatic priorities. The real estate magnate and father of Trump’s son-in-law received the nomination four years after Trump pardoned him for federal crimes.
“I am pleased to nominate Charles Kushner, of New Jersey, to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to France,” Trump announced on social media. “He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests.”
The nomination marks another chapter in Kushner’s complex trajectory from convicted felon to potential diplomat. In 2005, he pleaded guilty to 16 counts of tax evasion, one count of retaliating against a federal witness, and one count of lying to the Federal Election Commission. The case included a revenge scheme where Kushner hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, William Schulder, who was cooperating with federal investigators in a campaign finance case. Kushner sent the recorded encounter to his sister, Schulder’s wife.
Chris Christie, then U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, called Kushner’s actions “loathsome and disgusting.” After serving two years in prison, Kushner received a pardon from Trump in December 2020, alongside 25 others including Paul Manafort and Roger Stone. Beyond securing his pardon, Kushner helped others elevate their clemency cases to Trump through his son Jared.
The founder and chairman of Kushner Companies built one of the nation’s largest privately held real estate firms. His appointments included serving on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council and as chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Ernst & Young named him New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year.
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The ambassadorship could face hurdles given the existing tensions between Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. During his first term, Trump backed Macron’s far-right rival Marine Le Pen, praising her anti-immigration stance. Macron, who supports NATO and Ukraine, will serve until 2027. Trump has questioned Western aid to Ukraine and clashed with Macron over trade and Iran’s nuclear policy.
While Jared Kushner stated at a Miami event in February that he won’t take a formal role in a potential second Trump administration, preferring to focus on his private equity firm, diplomats and Trump allies told CNN he may still shape Middle East policy informally. Since leaving Washington, Jared and Ivanka Trump moved to Miami, where he founded Affinity Partners with backing from Gulf sovereign wealth funds.
The nomination requires Senate Foreign Relations Committee review and full Senate confirmation. Given Kushner’s criminal record, pardon, and the complex U.S.-France relationship, the process warrants a close examination of his qualifications and potential conflicts. The media coverage and public response reflect broader concerns about the intersection of presidential pardons, diplomatic appointments, and family connections in American politics.
