PARIS — A diplomatic row between France and the United States has escalated after the French government announced it will deny access to American Ambassador Charles Kushner until he responds to an official diplomatic summons.
The conflict intensified Tuesday when French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot revealed that Kushner — father of former President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner — had skipped a scheduled Monday meeting with French officials. The ambassador had been called in to explain controversial statements from the Trump administration regarding a recent incident in France.
The U.S. Embassy has not provided any response to multiple requests for comment from news outlets.
During an interview with France Info radio, Barrot characterized Kushner’s absence as unexpected and contrary to standard diplomatic practices, warning it would impact his effectiveness as an ambassador.
“It will, naturally, affect his capacity to exercise his mission in our country,” Barrot stated during the broadcast.
The foreign minister emphasized that Kushner “is bringing difficulties on himself. Because for an ambassador to be able to do his job he needs access to members of the government. That’s the basics.”
Barrot explained the diplomatic process, saying “There is nothing more usual than summoning an ambassador when explanations need to be made. When these explanations have taken place, then the U.S. ambassador in France will, naturally, regain access to members of the French government.”
The diplomatic crisis stems from social media posts by the Trump administration regarding the fatal assault of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old far-right activist. The student died from brain trauma after being attacked by a group during clashes between opposing political factions in Lyon earlier this month.
The State Department’s Counterterrorism Bureau posted on X that “violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranque’s death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety.” The American Embassy in Paris shared an identical message translated into French.
French officials view these statements as inappropriate interference in domestic political matters. Barrot stressed the need for clarification from the ambassador.
“We must have an explanation with him,” the foreign minister declared. “We don’t accept that foreign countries can come and interfere, invite themselves, into the national political debate.”
Despite the diplomatic tension, Barrot insisted the ambassador’s actions should not damage overall relations between the two nations.
“Not showing up is his personal responsibility,” he explained. “It does not affect the relationship between France and the United States in any way.”
This marks the second time French authorities have summoned Kushner for diplomatic consultations. In August, Paris called him in over a letter he sent to French President Emmanuel Macron criticizing France’s efforts to address antisemitism. French officials deemed those allegations “unacceptable.”
During the previous incident, Kushner also declined to attend personally and instead sent his deputy to the meeting.
