President-elect Donald Trump has named Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-American businessman and father-in-law to his daughter Tiffany Trump, as Senior Advisor on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs. The appointment, announced Sunday on Trump’s Truth Social platform, places Boulos in a critical position within the incoming administration amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
“I am proud to announce that Massad Boulos will serve as Senior Advisor to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs,” Trump stated. He praised Boulos as a “respected lawyer, international business leader, and dealmaker,” highlighting his key role in mobilizing Arab American voters during Trump’s campaign.
Challenges Await
Boulos’s appointment comes during a volatile period in the Middle East, with:
- The Gaza Conflict: Ongoing military operations against Hamas.
- Fragile Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire: Early violations threaten regional stability.
- Syrian Unrest: Rebels make gains against the Assad regime.
Boulos, a member of the Maronite Christian community, has emphasized rebuilding Gaza and fostering peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. “We want Gaza to prosper and for the Palestinian people to live in peace alongside Israelis with full security on both sides,” Boulos said in October.
Controversial Selection Process
The appointment has drawn criticism as part of Trump’s broader pattern of selecting family allies and loyalists for key roles, bypassing conventional expertise. Other recent announcements include Charles Kushner, father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared, as Ambassador to France, and Kash Patel as the next FBI Director.
Boulos’s family operates businesses in Nigeria and has a history of political involvement in Lebanon. Despite questions over his diplomatic credentials, Trump referred to him as instrumental in forging new coalitions with the Arab American community during the election campaign.
Boulos now faces the daunting task of navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, where his success could shape the early years of the Trump administration’s foreign policy.