who is Charles Kushner, the new United States ambassador to France?

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Donald Trump announced on Saturday November 30, 2024 that he would appoint Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law and former advisor Jared Kushner, as United States ambassador to France, a new atypical appointment for a man who has had problems with the law.

One year in prison

This real estate tycoon will be sent to Paris to “strengthen the partnership between the United States and France, our oldest ally and one of our strongest,” explained the American president-elect on his Truth Social network.

Charles Kushner spent a year in federal prison for tax embezzlement and was pardoned by Donald Trump towards the end of his first term in the White House – a legal past that raises questions for an American diplomat.

His son Jared Kushner is the husband of Ivanka Trump, the president's eldest daughter, and was an advisor to Donald Trump, particularly on the Middle East, during his first exercise of power.

Charles Kushner, now 70, once passed the reins to his son to run the family real estate empire, Kushner Companies. Because he had to serve a prison sentence after pleading guilty in 2004 to tax fraud, witness tampering and illegal campaign contributions.

The businessman notably admitted sordid acts in the context of this affair: he had hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, who was collaborating in an investigation into campaign financing. Charles Kushner had filmed the meeting between them to show to his sister, the man's wife, in order to dissuade her from testifying against him.

A proliferation of controversial appointments

Donald Trump on Saturday described Charles Kushner as a “brilliant business leader”, a “philanthropist” and a “good negotiator”, without ever mentioning his legal setbacks.

Since his election against Kamala Harris on November 5, Donald Trump has made a number of sensational appointments within his administration, surrounding himself with loyalists with often controversial profiles.

He notably appointed as Minister of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a man notoriously skeptical of vaccines.

Billionaire Elon Musk must co-direct a commission responsible for cutting public spending.

Donald Trump also appointed as Minister of Defense Pete Hegseth, a presenter of the conservative channel Fox News who was investigated for sexual assault, without a complaint being filed.

The Republican billionaire also tried to put Matt Gaetz, a lawmaker accused of having a sexual relationship with a minor, for the Justice Department. But faced with the outcry triggered by this project, the person ended up giving up.

In his place, Donald Trump chose one of his ex-lawyers, Pam Bondi. She will be assisted in the ministry by three of the billionaire's personal lawyers — Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and John Sauer. Their mission is clear: to put an end to what Donald Trump, convicted of criminal charges at the end of May, considers to be an “instrumentalization” of justice, and become the armed arm of his vengeance.

With AFP

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