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Charles Kushner, Trump nominee to France and Monaco, tells Senate he will press allies on defense spending and Holocaust education
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Summary
Charles Kushner, nominated to be U.S. ambassador to France and Monaco, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he will push for fair trade, greater French defense spending and enhanced Holocaust education; senators questioned his 20‑year‑old felony conviction and sought assurances about his judgment and financial disclosures.
Charles Kushner, President Trump’s nominee to be U.S. ambassador to France and Monaco, appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and said he would press Paris on trade imbalances, urge higher French defense spending and promote Holocaust education if confirmed. "If confirmed, I am dedicated to building an even stronger relationship between the United States and our oldest ally, France," Kushner told the committee.
Kushner framed three priorities for the post: seek a more balanced trade relationship, strengthen U.S.–France defense cooperation and advocate for Holocaust education and efforts to counter antisemitism. He told senators that France is a "key NATO ally" and said he would "urge France to invest more in its defense capabilities." He cited a figure during his remarks that, he said, France had invested about $360,000,000,000 in the United States.
The nomination drew immediate questions about Kushner’s 2005–2006 convictions. "You have been convicted of a felony," said Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the panel’s top Democrat, referencing Kushner’s past guilty plea and prison term. Kushner responded directly, acknowledging the convictions as "a very, very, very serious mistake" he said occurred more than 20 years ago and noting he had obtained a pardon from President Trump. "My misjudgment and mistake was over 20 years ago," Kushner said. "I am not a perfect person. I made a very, very, very serious mistake, and I paid a very heavy price for that mistake." He also pledged to comply with the committee’s guidance on financial disclosures, divestiture and other ethics steps.
Committee members pressed Kushner on how he would use the ambassadorship to advance U.S. national security interests in Europe, including coordination on Russia, China and NATO burden‑sharing. Senator Mike Ricketts asked whether Kushner would encourage France to maintain deployments and to take stronger steps in the Indo‑Pacific; Kushner replied, "Absolutely," and said he would press French officials to step up defense commitments. Senator Ben Sasse and others also questioned how Kushner would push for higher defense spending beyond NATO’s 2 percent target, referencing President Trump’s higher benchmark.
Kushner also described personal priorities tied to his background, saying he would "be an advocate for accurate Holocaust education" and for protecting Jewish communities in France. He cited reports he said showed a high share of young adults unaware of the Holocaust and called for expanded education efforts.
Discussion vs. decision: the hearing comprised testimony and a round of questioning; the committee did not vote on the nomination during this session and no formal action was recorded in the transcript. Kushner repeatedly pledged to respond to post‑hearing document requests and to follow any committee directions on financial or ethics matters.
Ending: The committee left the record open for additional materials and signaled that nominees may receive follow‑up questions for the record. Kushner asked the committee to consider his record of philanthropy and public service alongside his past conviction as it weighs the nomination.
