Staff Reports
In a new twist that has critics scratching their heads and supporters grinning, President-elect Donald Trump is once again showcasing the classic “family affair” approach to filling key positions in his administration. This time, both of his children’s fathers-in-law are stepping into high-profile roles that make many wonder if the Trump family has turned the White House into a family reunion checklist.
Charles Kushner, father of Jared Kushner and one of the new appointees, has been nominated for the U.S. ambassador position in the city of love, France. Meanwhile, Massad Boulos, who happens to be the father-in-law of Tiffany Trump, is set to become senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Some may call this nepotism; others see it as just savvy family networking. With a mix of loyalty and a dash of controversy, Trump’s decisions are leaving critics throwing darts in his direction—mostly out of frustration rather than legitimate concern.
The critics have sprung into action, arguing that Trump is prioritizing loyalty over experience. Charles Kushner, it turns out, has a bit of a checkered past. After serving time in prison for tax evasion and witness tampering (you know, the usual family bonding activities), he has been pardoned and is now ready to make France great again—if only they wanted it. On the flip side, Massad Boulos has made a name for himself as a billionaire businessman involved in reaching out to Muslim Americans during the campaign, which could be key in handling Middle Eastern affairs. So while one nominee operates in the shadows of scandal, the other is ready to shine in the spotlight.
Presidents traditionally sprinkle their administrations with campaign donors and allies, so Trump’s family picks fit right into the playbook. Critics may moan and groan about the idea of relatives on the payroll, but they conveniently forget that President Biden appointed over 55 ambassadors who happened to cough up a whopping $22.5 million in campaign contributions. It’s almost as if they care more about the number of dollar signs than the actual political experience behind them.
Family ties: Trump raises eyebrows by picking in-laws for plum jobs in his new administrationhttps://t.co/8esnk6qNhs pic.twitter.com/d0SFoAKGas
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 4, 2024
While critics may argue against the choice of family in politics, there is a historical precedent for these appointments, albeit rarely seen since the likes of John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton. Even those appointments raised eyebrows, but Trump clearly believes in shaking things up. Some say it’s problematic when family members assert opinions against advisers, but let’s be honest here—if Trump can’t even get his children’s in-laws on the same page, what’s one more wrinkle in this wild White House drama?
At the end of the day, the real question remains about how well these family members perform in their new roles. The Trump administration has always thrived on the tightrope of controversy and bold choices. If anything, it seems that President Trump is simply working with what he knows, and for him, family is everything—even in the world of U.S. diplomacy. As for the critics, they’ll have to wait and see if this gamble pays off or leads to more family feuds in the Oval Office.
