France Demands Explanation After U.S. Envoy Charles Kushner Ignores Diplomatic Summons

On Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot demanded an explanation from U.S. envoy Charles Kushner after the American official failed to appear for a meeting, though he insisted Franco-U.S. relations would remain unharmed.

Barrot summoned Kushner following the U.S. embassy in Paris’s reposting of Trump administration comments that condemned “terrorism” and leftist violence in France after the killing of activist Quentin Deranque, 23.

The diplomatic incident escalated as Kushner, whose son Jared is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, had previously criticized France for what he claimed was insufficient action against antisemitism. He also skipped a meeting with French officials last year, sending an official instead.

On Monday, France blocked Kushner from accessing government ministers. Deranque died from head injuries during clashes between radical-left and far-right supporters at a protest in Lyon against a politician from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party.

Barrot stated he sought clarification over Kushner’s failure to respect “the most basic customs of diplomacy.” “It’s a surprise,” Barrot said.

Kushner, 71, is a multimillionaire real estate developer and former attorney who has not served as a professional diplomat. He was imprisoned in 2004 after pleading guilty to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering, and illegal campaign contributions—a charge Trump pardoned in 2020.

Barrot emphasized the need for “a conversation with him,” adding that “all French people share the same feeling: We do not accept that foreign countries can come and interfere in, then insert themselves into our national political debate, whatever the circumstances.” He also mentioned Paris’s intention to address U.S. sanctions against European figures such as former European Commissioner Thierry Breton.

Barrot stressed that the incident would not affect Franco-U.S. relations, stating: “It has weathered other storms, but this will naturally affect his ability to carry out his mission in our country.” When asked whether Kushner might be declared persona non grata, Barrot did not provide a direct answer.

Yael Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly lower house, said it was crucial to continue dialogue: “We need to talk to each other and say what we think, but at the same time we mustn’t let ourselves be pushed around.”

A diplomatic source noted that Kushner cited “personal commitments” and sent a senior embassy official in his place. His conduct drew criticism even among U.S. diplomats, with Charles Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, stating: “One of the basic rules is that when you are summoned by the host country’s foreign minister, you show up. On time. It’s not optional.”

In December 2024, Trump defended Kushner as France’s envoy in an interview with Paris Match, saying: “It’s a great thing because he’s in our family… Essentially a family member of mine is coming to France—I’m not sure it’s happening anywhere else.”