Posted on 12/01/2024 7:55:57 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
President-elect Donald Trump named Massad Boulos, a Lebanon-born billionaire and the father-in-law of Trump's youngest daughter Tiffany, as his senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs on Sunday.
The announcement, made on Trump's Truth Social platform, praised Boulos as "an accomplished lawyer" who is an "unwavering supporter of peace 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. Massad is an accomplished lawyer and a highly respected leader in the business world, with extensive experience on the International scene," Trump wrote. "Massad is a dealmaker, and an unwavering supporter of PEACE in the Middle East. He will be a strong advocate for the United States, and its interests."
Boulos will be joining real estate developer Steve Witkoff, who Trump named special envoy to the Middle East, along with Trump's nominee for U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, in serving the region.
Boulos, who was born in Lebanon and moved to Texas as a teenager to attend the University of Houston, began his career when he joined his family's automotive business in Nigeria and rose to lead SCOA Motors and Boulos Enterprises.
It was previously reported that Boulos unsuccessfully ran for a parliamentary seat in Lebanon in 2009 and is known to have close ties across Lebanon's Christian political class as his father-in-law was a key funder of the Free Patriotic Movement, a Christian party aligned with Hezbollah.
However, in October, Boulos told Newsweek he is "not affiliated with any party in Lebanon," but is "acquainted with most Lebanese Christian leaders," one of whom is a presidential candidate endorsed by Hezbollah. He also disputed previous reporting by Saudi English-language newspaper Arab News and the Associated Press that he ran for parliament in Lebanon.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...
So poetic!
(Jared Kushner's father, Charles, has just been appointed Ambassador to France.)
Interview with the wife of Massad Boulos about her life, family, and spiritual journey.
Thank you! I saw this link from another thread, maybe it was you who posted it? SO GOOD! What a testimony she has. And a reminder of the kinds of incredible people in Trump’s orbit “behind the scenes.”
Great testimony and interesting webzine. Thanks for sharing it!
Boulos is Greek Orthodox, not muslim.
Yes, Boulos is a Christian and ethnically Arab, and most Lebanese Christians are Orthodox.
oops correction. most Lebanese Christians are Maronite Catholics* :) Greek Orthodox comes second and I guess Boulos is that.
bkmrk for later
Most of them live overseas due to the Lebanese Civil War.
As a result, Lebanon is now a Muslim majority nation.
That makes sense. Well I am glad Trump has people on his team who can understand all the nuanced dynamics of the region.
That said, Trump is pro-Israel but it’s in our interest for the war in Gaza to end in January. Trump knows how to use leverage. I’m sure Netanyahu is aware of it.
My d-i-l is Lebanese and was raised Maronite.
>> it’s in our interest for the war in Gaza to end in January
Even if Israel has not yet finished the important work of totally destroying Hamas? Please explain.
We're the United States of America. Our interests may not always "align" with Israel.
I believe that Trump has correctly pointed out that Israel has done a horrible job with their PR angle of the war in Gaza.
May not be entirely fair.
So if Netanyahu is unable to subdue Hamas, the best thing he can do is to move on to a police action.
Trump trumps Netanyahu.
It’s hard for Americans especially American Christians to forge a noble and cohesive stance on Israel because the “counter position” we are most familiar with are the radical Islamists on college campuses and the outright anti-Semites who weasel their way onto both sides of the political aisle.
That’s why it’s SO vital and refreshing to have a Christian* Arab in Trump’s corner. He probably takes issue with some of Israel’s policies, but likely doesn’t share a radical Muslim worldview.
There remain theological disagreements regarding the spiritual implications of everything happening in the Middle East. But it’s not President Trump’s job to play Bible scholar. He is President of the United States. And yet he appointed Pastor Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel…
Trump’s job is to secure our interests, and achieving peace would secure the whole world’s. “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
It’s not in our interest if any Hezbollah or Hamas folks remain.
The Newsweek writer is really working hard to make a mountain out of a molehill.
Who knew Mr Witkoff’s schedule for a $1000 please, Alex?
BBC reports:
It was hot and cloudy on Sunday afternoon when Trump and his good friend, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, arrived on the course of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
9 posted on 9/16/2024, 11:16:36 PM by blueplum
I have a sense Lebanon’s political scene isn’t the most flexible. So in order to enter in at any point you’re bound to have to find some “Hezbollah” affiliated doorway just to enter in? Whatever, the point is: I highly doubt Boulos is in sync with Iran’s current regime. 🙄
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