Trump Appoints Massad Boulos as Senior Adviser for Middle Eastern Affairs
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Washington, Dec 2 (NationPress) US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-American businessman and the father-in-law of his daughter Tiffany Trump, to his Cabinet as a senior adviser focusing on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.
"I am proud to announce that Massad Boulos will serve as Senior Advisor to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs," the President-elect shared on TRUTHSocial.
"Massad is a distinguished lawyer and a well-respected figure in the business community, possessing vast international experience. He has consistently advocated for Republican and Conservative values, proving to be a valuable asset to my Campaign, and played a pivotal role in fostering significant new coalitions within the Arab American Community. Massad is a skilled dealmaker and a steadfast advocate for PEACE in the Middle East. I am delighted to welcome him to our team!"
Boulos has spearheaded initiatives to engage the Arab-American community, coordinating numerous meetings throughout Michigan and other regions with significant Arab populations.
As a vital emissary for the Trump campaign, Boulos worked to mobilize Arab American and Muslim voters who were discontent with President Joe Biden's unwavering support for Israel during the Gaza conflict, which resulted in a substantial civilian death toll.
The businessman faces a challenging role, with ongoing conflict in Gaza, a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon experiencing early violations, and advancing rebel forces in Syria opposing the government of Bashar al-Assad.
Boulos's son, Michael, is married to Trump's daughter Tiffany.
On the same day, Trump appointed real estate executive Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared, as his choice for the US ambassador to France, exemplifying Trump's tendency to prioritize familial connections over experience or expertise in selecting his team.
Trump described Boulos as "a dealmaker."
Throughout his campaign, Trump promised to swiftly resolve the conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and other areas, though he did not elaborate on his methods.
In an interview with UK-based broadcaster Sky News in October, Boulos emphasized the urgency of concluding the conflict "quickly."
"Finishing it quickly means addressing specific military targets, such as dismantling the Hamas infrastructure and preventing further attacks," he stated.
"Let's transition to peace, and focus on rebuilding Gaza and Lebanon," he continued.
"We aspire for Gaza to thrive. We want the Palestinian people to prosper, coexist peacefully with Israelis, and ensure full security for both sides."
Boulos's family runs at least two automotive parts distribution businesses in Nigeria.
A member of the Christian Maronite community, he has previously attempted to secure a seat in the Lebanese Parliament, but to no avail.
Trump has faced criticism for a series of contentious appointments to key positions in his incoming White House administration.
The elder Kushner, also a lawyer, served a prison sentence for tax evasion but was pardoned by Trump in 2020 towards the end of his first term.
On Saturday, Trump designated loyalist Kash Patel as the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), a move that would replace the agency's current leader before the conclusion of his term.
A staunch supporter of the incoming president, Patel endorses the Republican hardliner belief in an anti-Trump "deep state" of allegedly biased government officials working covertly against Trump, even authoring a book on the topic.
