United States President-elect Donald Trump announced on Sunday the appointment of Lebanese-American businessman Massad Boulos as his Senior Advisor on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.
The move places Trump’s daughter Tiffany’s father-in-law in a significant White House role, further solidifying family ties within the administration.
“I am proud to announce that Massad Boulos will serve as Senior Advisor to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Boulos played a pivotal role in the Trump campaign, particularly in mobilising Arab American and Muslim voters disenchanted with President Joe Biden’s unwavering support for Israel during the Gaza war, which resulted in civilian casualties rising into the tens of thousands.
A Complex Agenda for Boulos
Boulos assumes his position at a critical juncture. Israel’s war in Gaza persists, a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon shows signs of strain, and Syrian rebel forces are gaining ground against President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Addressing these issues will demand strategic diplomacy and expertise.
Trump lauded Boulos’s qualifications, stating, “Massad is an accomplished lawyer and a highly respected leader in the business world, with extensive experience on the International scene. 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.” Trump also referred to Boulos as “a dealmaker.”
Family Connections in the Spotlight
This appointment is the latest in a series of Trump’s controversial personnel choices. Boulos’s son, Michael, is married to Tiffany Trump, adding another family connection to the administration. The previous day, Trump named Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law Jared, as the US ambassador to France. This pattern of appointing individuals close to the Trump family, often without traditional expertise, has drawn sharp criticism.
Charles Kushner, a real estate executive and lawyer, previously served time in federal prison for tax evasion but was pardoned by Trump in 2020.
Boulos’s Vision for the Middle East
In an October interview with Sky News, Boulos emphasised the urgency of resolving the Gaza conflict.
“What do we mean by finishing it quickly? I mean, you have some military targets that you have to accomplish, which is to get rid of the Hamas infrastructure and ability to launch new attacks and so on,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of peace and rebuilding efforts, stating, “Let’s move to peace, and let’s move to rebuilding Gaza and rebuilding Lebanon. We want Gaza to be prosperous. We want the Palestinian people to be prosperous, to live in peace, to live in harmony, side by side with the Israelis and full security on both sides.”
Boulos’s family operates automotive parts distribution companies in Nigeria, and he is a member of the Christian Maronite community. He previously ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Lebanese parliament.
Controversy Over Trump’s Picks
Trump’s appointments have raised eyebrows for favouring loyalty and familial connections over conventional expertise. On Saturday, he named Kash Patel as the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, replacing the current leader prematurely. Patel, a staunch Trump loyalist, supports the notion of an anti-Trump “deep state” and has written extensively on the topic.
Critics argue that Trump’s selection process undermines the importance of professional qualifications in key government positions. Nevertheless, Trump remains resolute in his choices, asserting that they align with his vision for governance and loyalty to his administration.
