US Prez Trump's son-in-law takes a rainy ride on a houseboat in Alappuzha
Alappuzha, Aug 8
Michael Boulos, businessman and son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, made a surprise visit to Alappuzha on Saturday, taking a leisurely houseboat ride through the rain lashed backwaters even as the Kerala Police mounted elaborate security arrangements for the high profile visitor.
Boulos, who has been accorded State Guest status during his stay in Kerala, arrived in Alappuzha accompanied by an eight-member delegation.
With the district receiving heavy rainfall over the past few days, the main entrance to Punamada Lake was flooded, prompting the police to make alternative arrangements to take Boulos to the houseboat from another location.
Despite the inclement weather, Boulos appeared to enjoy his tryst with the famed Kerala backwaters.
Whenever he came out onto the deck of the houseboat, he waved at people who had gathered after word spread about the arrival of the prominent visitor.
The visit also brought an unusual buzz to Alappuzha, popularly known as the 'Venice of the East', and internationally renowned for its network of canals, lagoons and houseboats.
Boulos is expected to return to Kochi later in the day, according to sources.
The visit comes just days before Alappuzha prepares to host the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, one of Kerala's most celebrated sporting and cultural spectacles, on August 22.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to be the chief guest at this year's event.
The prestigious race is named after Rahul Gandhi's great-grandfather, India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
During his visit to Alappuzha in 1952, Pandit Nehru jumped on to a traditional snake boat and was so impressed by the experience that he donated a trophy for a boat race, after he reached Delhi.
Boulos, who was born in Houston and raised in Lagos, is the husband of Tiffany Trump, the daughter of Donald Trump.
He married Tiffany in 2022, and the couple welcomed their first child in May 2025.
His unexpected appearance in Alappuzha, against the backdrop of monsoon rains and preparations for the Nehru Trophy, added an international touch to the normally bustling backwater destination on Saturday.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Wow, this is a pleasant surprise! The 'Venice of the East' getting international attention is always nice. I hope he got to taste some proper Kerala sadya and fresh fish curry during his stay. The rain adds a special charm to the backwaters, I'm sure he loved it!
The timing is interesting, right before the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. And now Rahul Gandhi will be the chief guest. Politics and international guests, what a combination! But let's not forget, it's the beauty of our backwaters that brings these folks here. Nice to see Alappuzha in the global news for something positive.
So much fanfare for a foreign visitor, but our own people struggle with basic facilities. The police arrangements are fine, but I hope they also focus on the flooding issue at Punamada Lake. Maybe some of that attention should go into improving infrastructure for everyone, not just VIP guests. Just saying.
I'm from Alappuzha and trust me, this is a big deal for us locals! 😄 It's nice to see the world discovering our little paradise. The rain might be a nuisance for some, but it makes the backwaters look magical. Hoping he spreads the word and brings more tourists here!
Respectfully, I have to say this: state guest status and elaborate security for a businessman who's only connected by marriage? I'm not critiquing the hospitality, Kerala is known for that. But we need to question why we bend over backwards for foreign visitors while our own tourists and citizens face neglect. God's Own Country deserves
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