President-elect Donald Trump has appointed his daughter Tiffany Trump's father-in-law, Massad Boulos, as the White House senior adviser on Arab and Middle East affairs.
According to ABC News, the appointment aligns with previous Trump strategies of involving family and their connections in government roles.
Massad Boulos, a successful entrepreneur and attorney with Lebanese roots, will apply his substantial business expertise and legal knowledge to this key diplomatic position. Boulos, known for his leadership of Boulos Enterprises in Nigeria, has a legal background with a degree from the University of Houston and a history of political engagement in Lebanon.
Massad Boulos' business acumen spans several decades, where he has overseen the production and distribution of mechanical equipment and motorcycles through his family's company. His professional journey is marked by a blend of international trade experience and legal prowess.
Adding to his credentials, Boulos has been significantly involved in the political landscape, as evidenced by a prior bid for a seat in Lebanon's Parliament in 2018. Though his attempt was unsuccessful, it highlighted his ongoing commitment to political engagement.
Massad Boulos’ political involvement was particularly noticeable during the recent election campaigns. He appeared alongside Donald Trump at various campaign events, including in Dearborn, Michigan—a key location that showcased his influence in helping secure a win in the state.
Boulos also met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in September 2024 during the United Nations General Assembly. He described the meeting as "purely personal" and emphasized that it was unaffiliated with his then-future advisory role.
Massad Boulos commented on his new role's importance to The Associated Press:
"The No. 1 point that is of high priority within the Arab American community is the current war in the Middle East. And the question is, who can bring peace, and who is bringing war? And they know the answer to that," said Massad Boulos.
President-elect Trump praised Boulos for his extensive international experience and legal expertise. Trump’s endorsement came via his Truth Social media platform where he expressed confidence in Boulos’ capabilities.
“Massad is an accomplished lawyer and a highly respected leader in the business world, with extensive experience on the international scene," Trump wrote. He further added, "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 Boulos' appointment follows Trump’s previous pattern of assigning governmental roles to relatives of his family. This precedes the appointment of Charles Kushner, father of Jared Kushner, as the ambassador to France. The elder Kushner was a controversial figure due to a 2005 criminal conviction and a subsequent pardon by Trump in December 2020.
With family ties often seen at the heart of such political appointments, this latest development invites scrutiny and discussion around the implications for U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic relations in the Middle East.
The appointment of Massad Boulos as the senior White House adviser on Arab and Middle East affairs continues President-elect Donald Trump’s trend of incorporating family-related individuals into influential political positions. Moreover, Boulos, with his extensive background in law, international business, and political undertakings, is positioned to shape Middle Eastern diplomatic outcomes. As a result, people will closely watch his approach and actions as policies develop and diplomatic activities evolve under his guidance.
