France Restricts Access for US Ambassador Charles Kushner Following Diplomatic Snub
London, 24 February 2026 – The French government has taken the extraordinary step of barring United States Ambassador Charles Kushner from direct access to government ministers. The decision follows Mr Kushner’s repeated failure to attend formal summons issued by the French Foreign Ministry. This diplomatic freeze marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two long-standing allies, primarily sparked by American commentary regarding domestic French judicial matters.
Diplomatic Stand-off in Paris
The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs moved to curtail Ambassador Kushner’s access after he failed to appear for a scheduled meeting for the second time. Instead of attending personally, Mr Kushner reportedly sent a lower-level embassy official. The summons was issued to address recent comments made by the Trump administration concerning the death of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old far-right activist. French officials have expressed that the Ambassador appears to lack a proper understanding of the basic duties and protocols required of a diplomatic representative.
As a result of this “no-show,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has requested that Mr Kushner no longer be granted direct meetings with members of the French government. Critics in Paris have noted that Mr Kushner, a real estate developer with no prior diplomatic experience, is the first convicted felon to serve as a US Ambassador to the country.
Key Facts: Charles Kushner
The following table outlines the professional and legal background of the current United States Ambassador to France and Monaco.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles Kushner |
| Current Role | United States Ambassador to France and Monaco (Assumed 2025) |
| Date of Birth | 16 May 1954 |
| Primary Profession | Real Estate Developer (Founder of Kushner Companies) |
| Legal History | Convicted in 2005 of tax fraud, witness tampering, and illegal campaign contributions; served 14 months of a two-year sentence. |
| Pardon Status | Granted a full federal pardon by Donald Trump in December 2020. |
| Education | New York University (JD and LLM); former attorney (disbarred). |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has France banned Charles Kushner from meeting ministers?
The French government restricted his access after he twice ignored formal summons to explain the Trump administration’s comments regarding the death of a far-right activist. The French Foreign Ministry views his absence as a breach of diplomatic protocol and a failure to perform his duties as an envoy.
What was Charles Kushner’s career before becoming an ambassador?
Mr Kushner was primarily known as a prominent real estate mogul in New Jersey and New York, founding Kushner Companies. He was also a lawyer until he was disbarred following his criminal convictions in 2005.
Is Charles Kushner related to Jared Kushner?
Yes, Charles Kushner is the father of Jared Kushner, who served as a senior advisor to Donald Trump and is the husband of Ivanka Trump.
Has a US Ambassador ever been barred like this before?
While diplomatic disagreements are common, the formal barring of a US Ambassador from meeting with a host country’s cabinet ministers is considered a highly unusual and severe diplomatic sanction between Western allies.