President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Dr. Massad Boulos, a billionaire businessman and father-in-law to his daughter Tiffany Trump, as Senior Advisor to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. The selection highlights Trump’s reliance on trusted family networks and allies as he prepares for his second term in office.
Business Expertise and Political Ties
Born into a Christian family in Lebanon, Boulos has established himself as a leading figure in international business. He runs Nigeria-based Boulos Enterprises, a company specializing in mechanical equipment and motorcycles, and serves as CEO of the SCOA Nigeria conglomerate, which deals in construction equipment, buses, power plants, and fine food imports.
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Boulos’ experience extends into politics, having engaged with factions across Lebanon’s complex political spectrum. While he has not set foot in Lebanon in four years, he maintains connections with prominent figures, including Suleiman Frangieh, a Christian politician allied with Hezbollah, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. His ability to bridge divides among Lebanon’s political factions has drawn both praise and scrutiny.
Arab-American Outreach
During Trump’s 2024 campaign, Boulos played a significant role in engaging Arab-American and Muslim-American communities in key battleground states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania. Michigan, home to the largest Muslim-American population in the U.S., proved critical to Trump’s election victory. According to reports, Boulos’ outreach helped sway a significant portion of Arab-American voters disillusioned with the Biden administration’s Middle East policies, particularly amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ exit poll revealed a marked decline in support for Democrats among Muslim voters. President Biden’s 69% support in 2020 dropped to Vice President Kamala Harris’s 20.3% in 2024. Trump secured 21.4%, with Green Party candidate Jill Stein taking an unexpected 53%, signaling dissatisfaction with the two major parties.
Family Ties and Potential Conflicts
Boulos’ appointment underscores Trump’s tendency to rely on family connections in shaping his administration. The announcement comes shortly after Trump nominated Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as U.S. Ambassador to France. Critics have raised concerns over nepotism, pointing to the overlapping financial and political interests within Trump’s inner circle.
Both Tiffany Trump, a Georgetown law graduate, and her husband Michael Boulos have largely remained outside the political spotlight. However, their growing family and Boulos’ new role are likely to draw increased attention to their activities.
A Push for Middle East Peace?
Trump praised Boulos as a “dealmaker” and “unwavering supporter of peace in the Middle East.” During the campaign, Boulos advocated for Trump’s leadership in addressing regional conflicts, describing him as uniquely positioned to negotiate peace. Trump supporters and some observers believe Boulos’ background and connections could enhance U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region. However, his ties to Hezbollah-aligned figures in Lebanon have sparked controversy, with critics questioning whether such associations align with U.S. policy priorities.
Boulos’ appointment adds to a roster of Trump’s allies slated for high-profile roles, including former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as U.S. Ambassador to Israel and real estate mogul Steve Witkoff as Special Envoy for the Middle East.
Family-Centric Governance
Trump’s reliance on family and close allies continues to be a defining feature of his governance style. During his first term, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner held senior advisory roles, with Kushner leading the Abraham Accords, a milestone agreement normalizing relations between Israel and the UAE. Although Ivanka and Jared have indicated they will not return to Washington, the appointment of figures like Boulos and Kushner’s father signals that family ties remain central to Trump’s administration.
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Meanwhile, Trump’s youngest son, 18-year-old Barron Trump, has emerged as a voice influencing his father’s outreach to younger voters, while his eldest sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, continue to operate the family’s real estate business.