Trump son-in-law Michael Boulos makes unannounced Kerala visit amid monsoon floods
Businessman Michael Boulos, married to Tiffany Trump, toured Alappuzha's backwaters by houseboat on Saturday despite heavy monsoon rains that have caused deadly flooding across Kerala in recent weeks.
Trump's son-in-law Michael Boulos makes surprise Kerala visit
Michael Boulos, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump and a businessman with extensive family interests in West Africa, made an unannounced visit to the southern Indian state of Kerala on Saturday, touring the famed backwaters of Alappuzha by houseboat despite torrential monsoon rains.
Boulos arrived with an eight-member delegation and has been accorded State Guest status during his stay in Kerala. He was welcomed by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who posted on X:
Welcome back to India @MichaelZBoulos! Thrilled to have my friend join me in Kerala.
Visit amid devastating floods
The visit comes as Kerala recovers from devastating floods and landslides that began in late July, claiming at least 15 lives by early August. On August 1, parts of central and southern Kerala experienced near-cloudburst conditions with single-day rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters, causing rivers including the Pamba to overflow and blocking major transport routes.
Heavy rain over recent days had caused flooding in parts of Alappuzha district, including near the main entrance to Punnamada Lake. Police made alternative arrangements for Boulos to board the houseboat from another location to avoid the flooded areas.
Backwaters tour despite challenging conditions
Despite the challenging weather conditions, Boulos proceeded with the cruise and spent time experiencing the scenic backwaters, a labyrinthine network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes and inlets stretching over 900 kilometers. The backwaters are one of India's most popular tourist attractions, drawing millions of domestic and international visitors annually.
Alappuzha, known as the Venice of the East—a moniker coined by George Curzon, Viceroy of India at the start of the 20th century—is celebrated for its distinctive network of waterways and traditional houseboat cruises.
About Michael Boulos
Boulos, who was born in Houston and raised in Lagos, married Trump's daughter Tiffany Trump on November 12, 2022, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. The couple, who met in Greece in summer 2018 and became engaged in January 2021, welcomed their first child in May 2025. Their son, Alexander Trump Boulos, born on May 15, is Donald Trump's 11th grandchild.
The businessman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Global Business Management from Regent's University London, earned in 2018, and a master's degree in Project Management, Finance, and Risk from City, University of London, completed in 2019. His father, Massad Boulos, is CEO of SCOA Nigeria, a company specializing in automotive assembly, distribution and heavy machinery dealership, as well as Boulos Enterprises, which has business interests in construction, automotive, retail and manufacturing across West Africa.
US Ambassador hosts visit
Ambassador Gor, who is hosting Boulos during the Kerala visit, was confirmed by the Senate on October 8, 2025, and presented his credentials to Indian President Droupadi Murmu on January 14, 2026. At 38, he became the youngest US ambassador to India and the 27th person to hold the position. Gor previously served as Director of Presidential Personnel in the White House, where he oversaw the hiring of thousands of political appointees across the federal government, and co-founded Winning Team Publishing with Donald Trump Jr.
