Charles Kushner, Ambassador to France: Controversy and Diplomatic Fallout
Charles Kushner, father of Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, is facing significant diplomatic repercussions after failing to attend a scheduled meeting with French government officials. The meeting was called to address U.S. comments regarding the death of Quentin Deranque, a far-right activist. This incident has sparked a diplomatic row and led to a ban on direct access to French ministers for the ambassador.
The No-Show and its Consequences
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot summoned Kushner to a 7 pm meeting to discuss the U.S. embassy’s reposting of State Department comments on the Deranque case. However, Kushner, a real estate magnate with an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion, cited “personal commitments” and sent a senior embassy official in his place. This decision prompted a strong response from the French Foreign Ministry.
“In light of this apparent failure to grasp the basic requirements of the ambassadorial mission, the minister has requested that he no longer be allowed direct access to members of the French government,” stated the ministry. While direct access has been revoked, the ministry indicated that Kushner could still engage in discussions with foreign ministry officials to “smooth over the irritants” in the long-standing Franco-American relationship.
A Pattern of Disengagement
This isn’t the first instance of Kushner’s absence from official engagements. He also missed a meeting in August after publishing an open letter criticizing President Emmanuel Macron’s handling of antisemitism in France. This pattern of disengagement has raised concerns about Kushner’s commitment to his diplomatic duties.
The Deranque Case and International Reactions
The death of Quentin Deranque, 23, who succumbed to head injuries following clashes between far-right and left-wing groups in Lyon on February 12th, has become a focal point of political tension. Six individuals have been charged in connection with his death, including a parliamentary assistant linked to the left-wing France Unbowed party.
The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism expressed concern over the case, highlighting the rise of “violent radical leftism” as a public safety threat and calling for justice for the perpetrators. The U.S. embassy in France subsequently shared a French translation of these comments, further fueling the controversy.
The incident has also strained relations between France and Italy, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressing her condolences and criticizing the event. President Macron responded by rebuking Meloni for commenting on French internal affairs.
Kushner’s Troubled Past
Charles Kushner’s appointment as ambassador was already met with scrutiny due to his past legal troubles. In 2005, he pleaded guilty to 16 counts of tax evasion, false statements, and witness tampering. This included a highly publicized incident involving hiring a sex worker to seduce his brother-in-law, who was a witness against him. He served 14 months in prison before receiving a pardon from President Trump in 2020. He subsequently demonstrated his gratitude by donating $1 million to Trump’s Make America Great Again Inc Super Pac.
Looking Ahead
The current situation underscores the complexities of international diplomacy and the potential for personal conduct to impact diplomatic relations. The future of Kushner’s ambassadorship remains uncertain as the fallout from this incident continues to unfold. For more information on US-France relations, see the U.S. Department of State website.
