President-elect Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he will appoint Massad Boulos, a billionaire businessman from Lebanon and father-in-law to Trump’s daughter Tiffany, as his senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Boulos for his extensive business experience and commitment to conservative values. “Massad is an accomplished lawyer and a highly respected leader in the business world, with extensive experience on the international scene,” Trump wrote. “He has been a longtime proponent of Republican and Conservative values, an asset to my Campaign, and was instrumental in building tremendous new coalitions with the Arab American Community. Massad is a dealmaker, and an unwavering supporter of PEACE in the Middle East. He will be a strong advocate for the United States, and its interests, and I am pleased to have him on our team!”
Boulos, the patriarch of the prominent Boulos family, leads SCOA Nigeria, an automotive company, and has played a pivotal role in Trump’s outreach to Arab American voters, particularly in the swing state of Michigan. His efforts helped secure Michigan for Trump, showcasing his influence and ability to connect with diverse communities.
Massad Boulos’s appointment underscores Trump’s intention to strengthen ties with the Arab world and advance peace initiatives in the Middle East. Boulos is expected to play a key role in Trump’s efforts to broker peace in the region, particularly as tensions persist following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military actions in Gaza. The conflict has escalated regional tensions, with missile exchanges between Iran and Israel further complicating the landscape.
This announcement comes amid other high-profile appointments by the president-elect. On Saturday, Trump stated that he would nominate Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as ambassador to France. While Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump held significant roles during Trump’s first term, they are not expected to serve in his second administration.
Massad Boulos joins a growing list of family and close allies stepping into influential positions in Trump’s administration, signaling a blend of loyalty and strategic expertise in shaping policy and diplomatic relations.
Tiffany Trump, Donald Trump’s youngest daughter, married Michael Boulos, Massad’s son, in 2022 in a lavish ceremony where Trump walked her down the aisle.
Boulos’s appointment reflects Trump’s strategy to leverage personal connections and experienced allies as he prepares to address complex international issues, with a particular focus on fostering peace and stability in the Middle East.
Credit: The Hill
