Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, has made it clear that he is not involved in Trump’s political endeavors. This statement comes amid ongoing scrutiny over his business dealings and political connections.
What Happened: Kushner, who is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, emphasized his detachment from Trump’s political activities during a podcast interview on Friday. During a podcast episode with “The Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy,” he said he informed investors in February about raising additional capital, ensuring them that his role would remain unchanged regardless of Trump’s political future.
Kushner stated, “I made very clear to them that in the event that Trump was elected, that they should not expect anything from me.”
Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners, has secured commitments from significant investors, including the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the Qatar Investment Authority, since 2021. He highlighted that these commitments were made when Trump’s political future was still uncertain. Kushner, who played a pivotal role in the Abraham Accords, founded Affinity after serving as a senior White House adviser. He assured that the firm has proactively avoided conflicts, eliminating the need to raise capital for the next four years.
Kushner and Affinity Partners have yet to respond to Benzinga‘s queries.
Why It Matters: Kushner’s distancing from Trump’s political sphere is noteworthy given his previous involvement in political fundraising activities. In May, Kushner was reportedly reaching out to donors to support Trump’s 2024 campaign. This shift in stance comes amid scrutiny over Affinity Partners’ foreign investments, which have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
In September, Senate Finance Committee Chair Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) questioned the firm’s dealings with foreign investors, including the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund. Wyden’s letter highlighted the firm’s collection of $157 million in management fees from foreign investors without generating returns, suggesting possible compensation schemes involving U.S. political figures.
Kushner’s distancing from Trump’s political activities may be an effort to mitigate these concerns and focus on his business ventures, which have seen significant growth. As of November, the Kushner family’s real estate empire has expanded from $1.8 billion to $7.1 billion since 2016.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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