Lebanese-American businessman appointed as Trump’s Middle East advisor
Dr. Massad Boulos, Tiffany Trump's father-in-law, sits for a portrait at the Wall Street Hotel in New York on Sep 4, 2024. (Photo via Getty)
Donald Trump, the U.S. president-elect, announced on Sunday the appointment of Lebanese-American businessman Massad Boulos as his senior advisor on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, marking another family connection in his administration.
The announcement, made via Trump’s Truth Social platform, places Boulos, the father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Tiffany, at the helm of a challenging policy portfolio amid intensifying conflicts in the region.
“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 lauded Boulos as a “dealmaker” and a “highly respected leader in the business world,” with international experience and long-standing support for conservative values.
Boulos, a prominent businessman with interests across West Africa and a background in law, played a key role in mobilizing Arab-American and Muslim voters during Trump’s campaign. Many of these voters expressed frustration with current U.S. policies on the ongoing war in Gaza.
The appointment comes as the Middle East faces escalating challenges, including the conflict in Gaza, an increasingly fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the advance of rebel forces in Syria.
“Massad is an accomplished lawyer and was instrumental in building tremendous new coalitions with the Arab-American community,” Trump said, highlighting his pick’s efforts during the campaign.
Boulos is expected to shape U.S. relations with Arab nations during a period of heightened tensions. Trump has repeatedly vowed to bring an end to global conflicts, including those in Gaza and Ukraine, though his plans for achieving such goals remain unclear.
Boulos, who moved to the United States as a teenager and earned his law degree at the University of Houston, has built a notable career in business, particularly as CEO of SCOA Nigeria, a conglomerate operating in West Africa. His recent prominence in U.S. politics stems from his familial connection to Trump and his active outreach to Arab-American voters.
With his deep ties to the Arab-American community and Trump’s Republican base, Boulos’s role is expected to be pivotal as the administration seeks to navigate the complexities of Middle Eastern diplomacy.
