In a political landscape already rife with eyebrow-raising appointments (Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Matt Gaetz), President-elect Donald Trump’s latest choice for U.S. ambassador to France has drawn a mix of incredulity and quiet dismay.

The man tapped for the prestigious post is none other than Charles Kushner—a name once synonymous with scandal in New Jersey’s legal and political circles. A convicted felon, much like Donald Trump himself, and father of Trump’s trusted adviser and son-in-law, Jared “Little Lord Fauntleroy” Kushner, Charles Kushner’s appointment has left many questioning whether any qualifications beyond blind loyalty to the Trump family are required in this administration.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a seasoned Republican and onetime presidential candidate, famously described Kushner’s misdeeds as “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes” he’d ever prosecuted. As the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey in 2005, Christie oversaw the case that led to Kushner’s conviction for tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions, and an act of witness retaliation so brazen it seemed torn from the pages of a mob drama. That particular episode involved Kushner hiring a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law into a compromising position, recording the encounter, and sending the tape to his own sister in an attempt to silence them.

Despite this sordid past, Trump announced the nomination with his signature enthusiasm on social media. “Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their 4 children, & 14 grandchildren,” Trump wrote. “His son, Jared, worked closely with me in the White House, in particular on Operation Warp Speed, Criminal Justice Reform, & the Abraham Accords. Together, we will strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest Ally, & one of our greatest!”

To understand how Kushner has re-emerged in such a prominent role, one must first examine his ascent—and fall—in the world of real estate. Born in 1954, Kushner transformed a modest family business into a sprawling empire, amassing 25,000 apartments and orchestrating record-breaking transactions by the mid-2000s. But his success crumbled under the weight of his criminal activities, culminating in a two-year prison sentence. While Kushner’s reputation was tarnished, his financial prowess and familial ties to Jared allowed him to maintain a foothold in elite circles.

This history, however, does not appear to trouble Trump, who pardoned Kushner in 2020 as part of a wave of clemency acts during his final days in office. The choice of Kushner for the Paris post underscores a recurring theme in Trump’s administration: loyalty and personal connections outweighing expertise and ethics.

In Paris, the reaction to Kushner’s appointment has been muted but telling. Gérard Araud, a former French ambassador to the U.S., voiced what many suspect is the sentiment within the Élysée Palace. “I recommend reading his résumé. ‘Juicy’ as the Americans would say…Needless to say, he has no knowledge of our country. At least he will have access to the president. We console ourselves as best we can,” Araud wrote on X.

Kushner’s selection is hardly an anomaly in Trump’s broader approach to governance. His tenure has been defined by controversial appointments, from Kash Patel at the FBI to the fleeting nomination of Rep. Matt Gaetz—a figure mired in allegations of sex trafficking—for Attorney General. What sets Kushner apart is the sheer audacity of his lack of qualifications for a post requiring diplomatic finesse and cultural understanding.

For Trump, the ambassadorship is perhaps less about fostering Franco-American relations and more about rewarding unwavering loyalty. With Kushner’s past conveniently absolved through a presidential pardon, his appointment is a stark reminder of the priorities guiding the Trump administration: family, fealty, and the reshaping of institutions to serve personal interests.