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The French establishment reacted with a mixture of resignation and disdain for President Donald Trump’s appointment of real estate developer, pardoned criminal and family relation Charles Kushner as US ambassador to France.
Kushner is the father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who held various positions during his first administration. The 70-year-old real estate agent has donated heavily to Trump’s 2024 campaign.
He also received a presidential pardon at the end of Trump’s first term after being convicted of multiple counts of tax evasion, campaign finance violations and tampering with evidence, for which he served time in prison. It was released in 2006.
“He is an outstanding business leader, philanthropist, & entrepreneur, who will be a strong advocate for our Country and its interests,” Trumpet he wrote on his Truth Social platform on Saturday when he announced his presidential nomination, which must be confirmed by the US Senate.
The story was questioned on the other side of the Atlantic. “I suggest you read his CV. ‘Sweet’ as the Americans would say . . . It goes without saying that he has no knowledge of our country. At least he will have a chance at the presidency. We comfort ourselves as much as we can,” former French ambassador to the US Gérard Araud he wrote on X.
“Does he speak at least French?” one commenter asked. “Obviously not,” replied Araud. Araud later he added: “In the act of insanity chosen by Mr. Trump, there is a near contempt for human dignity, customs and laws.”
François Heisbourg, senior European adviser at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, questioned whether France would refuse to accept the “nomination of a deplorable” on X. independent. .”
A French banker responded with a staring emoji when asked to comment on Kushner’s nomination.
US ambassadorial nominees, especially sought-after ones like those in Paris, are often political donors or allies of US presidents. Among them was Howard Leach, a food processing executive who spoke no French but was appointed by George W Bush as ambassador from 2001-05.
During his first term, Trump sent Jamie McCourt – a campaign donor whose estranged husband now owned the LA Dodgers baseball team – to Paris as his emissary. However, the appointment of a guilty person and family connection is very unusual even in the light of recent appointments of American ambassadors.
The first US ambassador to hold this position was Benjamin Franklin. Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe also worked.
The appointment comes at a critical time in US-France relations, with Trump pressuring European allies to increase defense spending. During his campaign, he also questioned America’s continued support for Ukraine’s war against Russian aggression, while France has been a major supporter of Ukraine. Trump said he would resolve the dispute in one day, without elaborating.
President Emmanuel Macron tried to use charm and good relations to improve his relationship with Trump during his first time in the White House, but often this was not enough to bridge the gap on issues ranging from the role of Nato to Middle East politics or climate agreements. Macron is also very weak politically now, having lost the elections he called this summer.
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