Trump's son-in-law takes a rainy ride on a houseboat in Alappuzha
Alappuzha, August 8
Michael Boulos, businessman and son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, paid an unannounced visit to Alappuzha on Saturday, enjoying a houseboat cruise amidst heavy monsoon rains along the backwaters.
Welcoming him to the region, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor shared on X, "Welcome back to India @MichaelZBoulos! Thrilled to have my friend join me in Kerala."
Despite the downpour affecting the district over recent days, Boulos spent time taking in the famous backwater stretch.
The high-profile presence generated considerable excitement in Alappuzha, often referred to as the 'Venice of the East' and globally recognised for its extensive network of backwaters, canals and traditional houseboats.
The arrival comes shortly before Alappuzha hosts the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race on August 22, one of the primary cultural and sporting events in Keralam.
The water spectacle bears the name of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who is also the great-grandfather of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
During a visit to Alappuzha in 1952, Nehru boarded a snake boat and subsequently instituted a trophy to establish an official competition upon returning to New Delhi.
Boulos, born in Houston and brought up in Lagos, is married to Tiffany Trump. The couple wed in 2022 and had their first child in May 2025.
His visit to the backwater hub ahead of the boat race festivities brought notable international interest to the district on Saturday.
— ANI
Reader Comments
At least he's seeing the real Kerala, not just the touristy spots. Alappuzha in the rain is something special — the vibe is completely different. Glad the US Ambassador is showing him the authentic side of our state. 🛶
Nobody talks about the irony — the trophy named after Nehru, who was Rahul Gandhi's great-grandfather, and now Trump's family is visiting the same venue. Politics aside, this is good publicity for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. Hope the event gets more international coverage this year.
As someone who's visited houseboats in Kerala, I can say he chose a beautiful spot. The rain actually adds to the charm of the backwaters — all the greenery comes alive. Smart of the ambassador to bring him here before the boat race.
VIP visits are fine, but I wish the local boat owners were compensated better. The heavy rains have affected our tourism industry significantly — many families depend on this season. A visit like this is nice for publicity but doesn't directly help the small vendors who are struggling. Just saying what many of us are thinking.
Monsoon is underrated in Kerala — it's when the backwaters look most serene. He got lucky with an authentic experience! And with the boat race coming up, this couldn't have been timed better. Great for showcasing India's rich culture to the world. 🇮🇳
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