Trump Names Long Branch Developer Kushner Ambassador To France

LONG BRANCH, NJ — Incoming President-elect Donald Trump just named Charles Kushner to serve as the U.S. ambassador to France.

Kushner, 70, is the father of President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who serves as one of Trump's closest advisors, particularly on how to deal with Israel.

Kushner is the well-known Long Branch developer who owns Pier Village and Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, which his company is in the midst of an ambitious project to tear down and rebuild as a luxury townhomes centered around a public center green.

Kushner Cos. owns other real estate projects in New Jersey, including multiple apartment buildings in Journal Square, Jersey City.

In 2005, Kushner served 14 months in federal prison after he was convicted of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion and witness tampering, in a case that was prosecuted by then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie.

As part of his guilty plea, Kushner admitted to hiring a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law and videotaping him, and then sending the videotape to his sister to intimidate her from testifying before a grand jury

In 2020, in the final days of his first term as president, Trump granted a full pardon to Kushner.

Kushner and his wife still live in Long Branch to this day, in a sprawling estate by the sea. They hosted major fundraisers for Trump there when he first ran for president in 2016.

The Kushner family is still extremely active in Long Branch real estate and are currently building 299 apartments and a supermarket on Broadway in Long Branch: Major New Kushner Investment In Long Branch: 299 Apts. On Broadway (March 2024)