Secretary of State's son-in-law at the White House, Jared Kushnerhas clearly stated that he is not involved in Trump's political efforts. The statement comes amid continued scrutiny of its business operations and political connections.
What happened : Jared Kushner, married to Trump's daughter, Ivankaemphasized his detachment from Trump's political activities during an interview published on a podcast Friday. During a podcast episode with “The Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy,” he said he informed investors in February of his desire to raise additional capital, assuring them that his role would remain unchanged regardless of the political future. of Trump.
Kushner said: “I was very clear with them that in the event Trump is elected, they should not expect anything from me. »
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Kushner's investment firm, Affinity Partnershas secured commitments from major investors, including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and the Qatar Investment Authority, since 2021. He noted that these commitments were made while Trump's political future was still uncertain. Kushner, who played a pivotal role in the Abraham Accords, founded Affinity after serving as a senior adviser at the White House. He assured that the company proactively avoided conflicts, thereby eliminating the need to raise capital for the next four years.
Kushner and Affinity Partners have not yet responded to Benzinga's questions.
Why it matters : Kushner's step back from Trump's political sphere is significant, given his previous involvement in political fundraising activities. In May, Kushner reportedly contacted donors asking them to support Trump's 2024 campaign. The change in stance comes amid scrutiny of Affinity Partners' foreign investments, which have raised concerns about possible conflicts of interests.
In September, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) questioned the company's dealings with foreign investors, including the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. Wyden's letter highlighted how the firm reaped $157 million in management fees from foreign investors without generating any returns, suggesting possible compensation schemes involving U.S. political figures.
Kushner's step back from Trump's political activities could be an effort to ease those concerns and focus on his businesses, which have seen significant growth. As of November, the Kushner family's real estate empire has grown from $1.8 billion to $7.1 billion since 2016.
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Disclaimer : This content was produced in part with the assistance of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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