Month: December 2024

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen billionaire businessman Massad Boulos, the father-in-law to his daughter Tiffany Trump, as his senior adviser on Middle Eastern affairs.

Trump announced on his Truth Social media platform that Boulos, father of Trump’s son-in-law Michael Boulos, will serve as White House senior adviser on Arab and Middle East affairs. Born to a Christian family in Lebanon, Massad Boulos runs Nigeria-based Boulos Enterprises, which produces and distributes mechanical equipment and motorcycles. Michael Boulos has been married to Trump’s daughter Tiffany since 2022.

Trump said in his announcement of the selection: “I am proud to announce that Massad Boulos will serve as Senior Advisor to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Massad is an accomplished lawyer and a highly respected leader in the business world, with extensive experience on the International scene. 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. Massad is a dealmaker, and an unwavering supporter of PEACE in the Middle East. He will be a strong advocate for the United States, and its interests, and I am pleased to have him on our team!”

During the presidential election cycle, it is said that Boulos helped Trump by courting Arab American voters and met in September with Mahmoud Abbas – the leader of the Palestinian Authority who had barred Palestinian officials from meeting with the Trump administration during his first term as president. Boulos, however, told The New York Times after the conference with Abbas that it was purely a personal meeting, adding that he did not advise Trump about it before or after.

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Fire officials say that a home explosion in Jefferson City, Missouri over Thanksgiving weekend left the residence in shambles, with six people inside injured – three critically. Jefferson is the state capital, located about 133 miles west of St. Louis.

According to a press release from Jefferson City Fire, the explosion occurred on St. Louis Road in Jefferson City early Saturday morning at 2:44 a.m. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. Jefferson City Fire said in the release: “Rescue operations were particularly challenging due to the extensive structural collapse and significant debris. The team had to carefully tunnel through layers of debris to reach the final occupant, who required intensive extrication.” Photos show the explosion left the home almost completely leveled, with responders saying they discovered the six individuals among the debris upon arrival. All six of the individuals were safely removed from the residence by 5:52 a.m.

Emergency responders said of the six individuals injured in the blast, two were transported to Jefferson City Airport and flown to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, with the remaining four people transported by ground to University Hospital. Fire officials also said that two pets were rescued from the collapsed home and are now in the care of animal control.

ABC News’ Missouri affiliate KMIZ reports that Cole County EMS Chief Eric Hoy told the outlet that three of the victims are listed in critical condition and received critical life support. The other three have moderate injuries and are in stable condition.

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