Trump appoints daughter Tiffany's Lebanese-American father-in-law as senior advisor for Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Lebanese-American citizen Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of his daughter Tiffany, will serve as his senior advisor for Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth, President-elect Trump announced the appointment: “I am proud to announce that Massad Boulos will serve as Senior Adviser to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs,” Trump wrote. 

Calling him “an accomplished lawyer and a highly respected leader in the business world,” Trump also cited Boulos’ “extensive experience” in international affairs. 

“He has been a longtime proponent of Republican and Conservative values, an asset to my Campaign, and was instrumental in building tremendous new coalitions with the Arab American Community,” Trump continued. “Massad is a dealmaker and an unwavering supporter of PEACE in the Middle East.” 

Boulos has already worked with Trump, serving as a go-between when dealing with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, as well as helping raise support for Trump among the Arab-American community during the most recent election. 

Boulos’ Lebanese ties appear to be particularly relevant given the recently agreed-upon Lebanon ceasefire. He is reportedly in contact with a range of figures across Lebanon’s divided political spectrum, from the Lebanese Forces Party – an anti-Hezbollah Christian group – to Suleiman Frangieh, a Christian ally of Hezbollah and its preferred candidate for the presidency.

Boulos was born in Lebanon before moving to the United States, where he attended school at the University of Houston, earning a law degree and eventually becoming an American citizen. 

Trump’s in-law will take his role during a pivotal time for the region. While Israel had agreed to a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon, in a recent interview with Hebrew media, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ceasefire “could be short.” 

Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza appears no closer to resolution than it was before the Lebanon ceasefire, despite renewed efforts by Western powers to broker a deal.

The renewed Syrian Civil War, now largely a conflict between various proxy groups supported by foreign powers with their own interests, could complicate Boulos' ability to achieve Trump's primary goal for him: To expand the Abraham Accords.

Boulos is expected to work with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s choice for special envoy to the Middle East, to achieve that goal. 

The selection of Boulos marks the second time Trump has chosen the father-in-law of one of his children for a role in his administration. The move also represents a classic Trump strategy: appointing someone he trusts with proven business negotiation skills while recognizing the significance of including an Arab voice in his Middle East peace efforts.