Washington, D.C., December 02, 2024 – The Europe Today: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Lebanese American businessman Massad Boulos as a senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. The announcement was made on Sunday via Trump’s Truth Social account.
Boulos, a prominent figure with deep ties to Lebanon and the Arab American community, played an active role in Trump’s 2024 election campaign. He met frequently with Arab American and Muslim leaders to galvanize support, leveraging his extensive political and business connections in the region.
The decision marks the second time in recent days that Trump has selected family members of his children’s spouses for key positions in his administration. On Saturday, Trump named Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as the U.S. ambassador to France.
Boulos, whose son Michael is married to Trump’s daughter Tiffany, has a storied background. Born in Lebanon, he relocated to Texas as a teenager, where he attended the University of Houston and later earned a law degree. He became a U.S. citizen and built a business empire with significant investments in Nigeria.
Boulos has also distinguished himself as a rare figure capable of maintaining relations across Lebanon’s fractious political landscape. Sources familiar with his work describe his ability to engage with multiple factions, including Hezbollah and its Christian ally Suleiman Frangieh, as well as the Lebanese Forces Party, a staunchly anti-Hezbollah faction. He has also cultivated ties with independent lawmakers, demonstrating his ability to navigate Lebanon’s deeply entrenched political divisions.
Boulos’s appointment follows months of active campaigning for Trump, during which he mobilized support among Lebanese and Arab American communities. His family’s legacy in Lebanese politics further bolsters his credibility. His father and grandfather were influential political figures, and his father-in-law was a major supporter of the Free Patriotic Movement, a Christian party aligned with Hezbollah.
Boulos’s personal connection to the Trump family is also notable. His son Michael and Tiffany Trump were married in November 2022 in a lavish ceremony at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Boulos’s expertise and connections in the Middle East are expected to shape the administration’s approach to Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Trump’s decision underscores his focus on leveraging personal relationships and experienced allies to advance U.S. interests in the region.
The appointment has already sparked discussion within political and diplomatic circles, with many anticipating Boulos will play a pivotal role in shaping U.S. policy toward the Arab world during Trump’s presidency.
