When it comes to appointments, advisory and ambassadorial positions tend to be somewhat less represented in the “controversial” quotient than key Cabinet selections for a novel president. Still, they can sometimes turn heads, and they do — especially when written by President-elect Donald Trump.
(Of course, I’m venerable enough to remember when George W. Bush appointed Sam Fox as ambassador to Belgium – ultimately by recess appointment – Set liberal hair on fireSo a little less affected by such fluttering than I might have been before.)
Two of Trump’s weekend announcements are sure to raise eyebrows because they involve (extended) family members. As Becca Lower reported on Saturday, Trump named daughter Ivanka’s father-in-law, Charles Kushner, as his nominee for ambassador to France.
Trump appoints a family member as US ambassador to France
On Sunday, Trump named his daughter Tiffany’s father-in-law, Massad Boulos, as senior adviser 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 highly respected executive in the business world with extensive experience on the international stage. He has long been a supporter of Republican and conservative values, an asset to my campaign, and has been instrumental in building tremendous novel coalitions with the Arab American community. Massad is a dealmaker and a steadfast supporter of PEACE in the Middle East. He will be a mighty advocate for the United States and its interests, and I am excited to have him on our team!
Tiffany, Trump’s younger daughter, married Boulos’ son Michael in 2022 and is expecting their first child.
Here is a little more to Massad Boulos:
Born in Lebanon, Boulos runs Nigeria-based Boulos Enterprises, which manufactures and sells mechanical equipment and motorcycles. Boulos is also CEO of the SCOA-Nigeria conglomeratewhich deals with everything from buses and construction equipment to work on power plants and the import of fine food. According to reports, his net worth is estimated to be in the billions of dollars.
Boulos will be part of the team he is assembling to focus on Middle East affairs, along with Trump friend Steve Witkoff (special envoy to the Middle East) and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (ambassador to Israel).
