The selection of Massad Boulos, a figure touted by Donald Trump as a wealthy and experienced business leader, reveals discrepancies concerning his actual financial stature and professional experience in the Middle East, leading to widespread questioning of his suitability for the advisory role.
Trump's Appointment of Middle East Adviser Draws Scrutiny Over His Background
Trump's Appointment of Middle East Adviser Draws Scrutiny Over His Background
Massad Boulos, who is set to advise Trump on Middle East policy, has a questionable business background that raises concerns about his qualifications.
In what has become a contentious topic within political and media circles, President-elect Donald Trump has announced Massad Boulos as his Middle East adviser, labeling him as a "highly respected leader in the business world." Reports often refer to Boulos as a billionaire mogul, particularly due to his familial connection to Tiffany Trump and the Boulos name associated with various business ventures.
However, in a careful review of corporate records and filings, a different story emerges. Massad Boulos has predominantly operated as a truck salesman for SCOA Nigeria PLC in Nigeria for the last twenty years, a company tied to his father-in-law, that has notably registered a profit of merely $66,000 last year. While Boulos has been portrayed in various media outlets as a dealmaker, corporate filings indicate that his personal stake in the truck dealership is an extremely low value—merely $1.53 according to securities records. Additionally, Boulos Enterprises, the firm frequently linked to him, is not actually owned by him but rather consists of a separate Boulos family unrelated to his line.
In discussions about the region he will advise on—an area fraught with geopolitical unrest—Boulos has admitted to not having visited the Middle East in years, adding further doubt to his qualifications for such an important advisory role. The position that Boulos has been nominated for does not require Senate approval, allowing him to step into this influential position without extensive scrutiny.
Critics and political analysts are debating how such an appointment reflects on Trump’s broader approach to Middle East policy, especially given the complexities and challenges that characterize the region. The implications of appointing someone without proven experience raise significant questions regarding the administration's strategic planning and decision-making at one of the world's most volatile geopolitical crossroads.
However, in a careful review of corporate records and filings, a different story emerges. Massad Boulos has predominantly operated as a truck salesman for SCOA Nigeria PLC in Nigeria for the last twenty years, a company tied to his father-in-law, that has notably registered a profit of merely $66,000 last year. While Boulos has been portrayed in various media outlets as a dealmaker, corporate filings indicate that his personal stake in the truck dealership is an extremely low value—merely $1.53 according to securities records. Additionally, Boulos Enterprises, the firm frequently linked to him, is not actually owned by him but rather consists of a separate Boulos family unrelated to his line.
In discussions about the region he will advise on—an area fraught with geopolitical unrest—Boulos has admitted to not having visited the Middle East in years, adding further doubt to his qualifications for such an important advisory role. The position that Boulos has been nominated for does not require Senate approval, allowing him to step into this influential position without extensive scrutiny.
Critics and political analysts are debating how such an appointment reflects on Trump’s broader approach to Middle East policy, especially given the complexities and challenges that characterize the region. The implications of appointing someone without proven experience raise significant questions regarding the administration's strategic planning and decision-making at one of the world's most volatile geopolitical crossroads.
