As appointments go, advisers and ambassadorships tend to be a bit lesser in the “controversial” quotient than key cabinet picks for an incoming president. Still, they can and do ruffle feathers at times — particularly when authored by President-elect Donald Trump.
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(Of course, I’m old enough that I remember when George W. Bush’s selection of Sam Fox as the Ambassador to Belgium — ultimately via recess appointment — set liberal hair aflame, so a bit less moved by such flapping than I might once have been.)
Two of Trump’s weekend announcements are sure to stir the pot, given that they involve (extended) family members. As Becca Lower reported, on Saturday, Trump named daughter Ivanka’s father-in-law, Charles Kushner, as his pick for Ambassador to France.
Trump Nominates a Family Member As US Ambassador to France
On Sunday, Trump named daughter Tiffany’s father-in-law, Massad Boulos, as Senior Advisor to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.
I am proud to announce that Massad Boulos will serve as Senior Advisor to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Massad is an accomplished lawyer and a highly respected leader in the business world, with extensive experience on the International scene. He has been a longtime proponent of Republican and Conservative values, an asset to my Campaign, and was instrumental in building tremendous new coalitions with the Arab American Community. Massad is a dealmaker, and an unwavering supporter of PEACE in the Middle East. He will be a strong advocate for the United States, and its interests, and I am pleased to have him on our team!
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Tiffany, Trump’s younger daughter, wed Boulos’ son, Michael, in 2022, and is expecting their first child.
Here’s a bit more on Massad Boulos:
Boulos, who was born in Lebanon, runs Nigeria-based Boulos Enterprises, which produces and distributes mechanical equipment and motorcycles. Boulos is also CEO of the SCOA Nigeria conglomerate, which deals in everything from buses to construction equipment to work on power plants and importing fine foods. His net worth is estimated in the billions of dollars, according to reports.
Boulos will join Trump friend Steve Witkoff (Special Envoy to the Middle East) and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ambassador to Israel) as part of the team he’s assembling to focus on Middle East affairs.