Trump-Pardoned Charles Kushner Eyes Ambassador Role to France

New Jersey real estate titan Charles Kushner, aged 71, is poised for a pivotal role as the U.S. Senate reviews his nomination for ambassador to France and Monaco today. Known for his sharp business acumen and deep ties to philanthropy, Kushner’s path to diplomacy is as colorful as a Parisian sunset.

Kushner, father-in-law to Ivanka Trump, carries a past marked by a 2005 conviction for tax evasion and election violations, later pardoned by President Donald Trump. Far from shying away, he told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 1 that those missteps honed his judgment, making him a stronger candidate. A bold claim, but one that underscores his resilience.

Since founding Kushner Companies in 1985, he’s built a legacy in real estate while championing Jewish causes and institutions like Yeshiva University. His generosity also touched St. Barnabas Hospital in Essex County, where a wing bears his family’s name. Trump, in November, praised him as a 'tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker,' citing accolades like New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year and roles with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council and NYU.

With family ties to the White House—his son Jared Kushner was instrumental in initiatives like the Abraham Accords—Kushner’s nomination signals a blend of personal loyalty and strategic diplomacy. If confirmed, he’ll represent America’s interests with one of its oldest allies, France, a nation as complex as his own journey.