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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Mike Bedigan

Keeping it in the family: Trump appoints Tiffany’s father-in-law as Middle East adviser

Donald Trump has announced he will appoint daughter Tiffany’s father-in-law, Massad Boulos, to serve as his senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.

Boulos, a billionaire from Lebanon, is the second father of one of Trump’s sons-in-law to be selected for a position in the forthcoming administration, following the nomination of Charles Kushnerfather of Jared Kushner, on Saturday.

“Massad is an accomplished lawyer and a highly respected leader in the business world, with extensive experience on the International scene,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.

“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!”

(@realDonaldTrump/X)

Tiffany Trump, the President-elect’s youngest daughter, married Michael Boulos in 2022. Trump walked his daughter down the aisle.

Massad Boulos, who owns the automotive company SCOA Nigeria, was a critical figure for Trump in the swing state of Michigan, campaigning for the president-elect among Arab American voters.

Tiffany Trump, the President-elect’s youngest daughter, married Michael Boulos, behind, in 2022 (AP)

It is expected that Boulos will likely play a role in attempts by the Trump administration to reach a peace deal in the Middle East, since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023. Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon, reached a ceasefire deal earlier this week after months of fighting.

The appointment of Boulos is just the latest family figure to land a post with the administration. On Saturday, Trump said he would nominate Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as ambassador to France.

“He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests. Charlie is the Founder & Chairman of Kushner Companies, one of the largest & most successful privately held Real Estate firms in the Nation.

In 2005, Kushner – an attorney – was convicted of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering, and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. As a convicted felon, he was also disbarred in three states.

He was later pardoned by Trump during his first term, in December 2020.

Jared Kushner, along with his wife Ivanka Trump, served as a special advisor to the President-elect during his first term.

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