Trump appoints Charles Kushner as US ambassador to France: "Vigorous supporter"

Jared Kushner's father, Charles Kushner, has been nominated by President-elect Trump to serve as the U.S. ambassador to France in his new administration.

"Trump announced on Saturday that he is nominating Charles Kushner, a businessman from New Jersey, to be the U.S. Ambassador to France. Kushner is known for his philanthropy and deal-making skills, and Trump believes he will be a strong advocate for the country's interests."

In 2020, Trump granted Kushner a pardon 15 years after he was convicted of tax fraud, witness tampering, and illegal campaign contributions.

Kushner, the founder of Kushner Companies, was sentenced to two years in prison for his conviction of witness tampering. The charge arose from a situation where he paid a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law into a recorded encounter. Kushner then sent the footage to the man's wife, his sister, in an attempt to prevent her from testifying before a grand jury.

In 2005, Kushner was prosecuted by then-U.S. Attorney General Chris Christie, who later described the case as "one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes" during a 2019 PBS interview.

Trump highlighted Kushner's achievements in his statement on Saturday, stating that Kushner Companies is one of the largest and most successful privately held real estate firms in the country.

Trump stated that he was named New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, appointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, and served as a Commissioner, Chairman, and on the Boards of top institutions, including NYU.

"Jared, his son, collaborated with me closely in the White House, particularly on Operation Warp Speed, Criminal Justice Reform, and the Abraham Accords. Together, we will strengthen America's partnership with France, our oldest ally, and one of our greatest!"

In 2018, Jared Kushner advocated for the passage of the First Step Act by Congress, which aimed to reform federal prisons, as he was deeply moved by his father's prison experience.

At the time, Jared Kushner wrote in the Wall Street Journal that President Trump pledged to advocate for the overlooked individuals of the country, which encompasses those incarcerated as well.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Ronn Blitzer contributed to this report.