Donald Trump, through a publication on the social network Truth Social last Sunday, 1, announced the appointment of Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-American businessman and father-in-law of Tiffany Trump, as senior counselor for Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.
Boulos was a central figure in Trump’s campaign, significantly contributing to the mobilization of Arab and Muslim voters in crucial states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania.
The ability of Boulos to handle various political factions in Lebanon, including Hezbollah and its opponents, was noted by experts, such as Aron Lund of the Century Foundation, who commented on Boulos’ ambition and political connections.
In addition to his political influence, Boulos was involved in weekly meetings with Arab-American civic and business leaders, promoting Trump’s policy focused on resolving conflicts in the Middle East.
He also played a crucial role in garnering support from dissatisfied Muslim and Arab-American leaders with Democratic foreign policies.
Boulos, a successful businessman with extensive operations in Nigeria, has deep roots in Lebanon and maintains a vast network of political contacts, including Christian groups with diverse positions on Hezbollah.
His appointment is seen as a strategy by Trump to expand his influence in the region, using an individual with strong presence in the Lebanese diaspora and negotiation skills.
The appointment of Boulos occurs shortly after Trump chose Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as the US Ambassador to France. This choice reinforces Trump’s practice of including family members and close allies in key positions within his administration.
With information from Reuters
