US Ambassador to France Charles Kushner has ignited a diplomatic spat after ignoring a French foreign ministry summons, prompting Paris to limit his access to government officials. The controversy adds to scrutiny over Kushner’s 2025 appointment, given his criminal past and lack of diplomatic experience.
France reacted after the February beating death of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque during clashes between far-left and far-right activists in Lyon. A US State Department message reposted by the embassy in Paris suggested that “violent radical leftism is on the rise,” warning of public safety threats. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the statement and summoned Kushner. When he failed to comply, Barrot called the refusal a breach of diplomatic protocol, restricting Kushner’s access to officials until a personal meeting occurred. The two spoke Tuesday over the phone, with the embassy calling it a “frank and amicable call.”
Experts highlight Kushner’s unconventional path to diplomacy. Pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2020 after a 2005 conviction for tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions, and witness-tampering, Kushner had no prior political or diplomatic experience. Professor Mario Del Pero of Sciences Po described him as a “very controversial figure” and a symbol of “classic crony capitalism”: high-level positions “awarded on the basis of loyalty and family ties rather than experience.”
Charles Kushner’s real estate empire, Kushner Companies, and his political network—including his son Jared, former senior White House adviser—illustrate the transactional nature of his rise. Researchers say the Paris appointment reflects the Trump-era pattern of rewarding loyalty with prestige. Del Pero suggested Kushner likely had Washington’s backing in ignoring the French summons and his prior letter to President Emmanuel Macron criticizing France’s response to anti-Semitism.
The incident occurs amid broader Franco-American dynamics. Del Pero noted Trump remains unpopular in Europe, giving leaders like Macron political incentive to publicly clash with figures tied to the former president. Meanwhile, such disputes can reinforce MAGA solidarity in the US, though experts warn that support is fragile without Trump’s direct influence.
