Kushner's diplomacy: a family business?
Jared Kushner, once a reluctant exile from the Trump administration, is back in the foreign policy spotlight – and simultaneously bolstering his private equity firm, Affinity Partners. The optics are, to put it mildly, troubling, raising serious questions about conflicts of interest as Kushner navigates sensitive negotiations on everything from the Israel-Hamas ceasefire to the stalled Iran nuclear deal, all while aggressively seeking billions in foreign investment for his company.
The return of the envoy, the return of the pitch
Just months after leaving his White House post in 2021, Kushner launched Affinity Partners, securing a staggering $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – a deal reportedly pushed through despite reservations from advisors. Now, as Trump’s unofficial peace envoy, Kushner is courting investors, including governments with a direct stake in the outcomes of his diplomatic efforts, seeking at least $5 billion in new financing. The White House insists there's no conflict, claiming Kushner “only acts in the best interests of the American public.” A statement that rings hollow when considering the source of Affinity’s funding.
Nearly 99% of Affinity’s capital originates from foreign sources – Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates – nations heavily reliant on US military support and protection. Senator Ron Wyden, chairing the Senate finance committee, previously launched an investigation questioning whether Affinity served as a conduit for foreign powers to influence a future Trump administration. Kushner’s response at the time? To preemptively raise funds, claiming he wouldn't solicit further investments during Trump’s second term – a promise now demonstrably broken.
A history of entanglements
Kushner’s relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is particularly noteworthy. He played a key role in cultivating a friendship between Trump and the prince, reportedly even shielding the crown prince from congressional scrutiny after the 2018 Khashoggi assassination. The recent acceleration of Gaza negotiations has only amplified Kushner’s visibility, alongside Steve Witkoff, another Trump confidante, as the president’s “go-to” troubleshooters. The lines between diplomacy and Business have blurred to the point of near-invisibility.
Consider the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Kushner, alongside Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, presented a lavish, US-led plan for rebuilding Gaza, complete with luxury high-rises. While outlining the administration’s vision, he simultaneously pitched Affinity Partners to foreign leaders, seeking that all-important $5 billion injection. The image is stark: a government envoy simultaneously selling peace and peddling private equity.
And the financial incentives are compelling. Affinity Partners has already collected $157 million in management fees over three years, with no returns to its foreign investors. Kushner's ownership stake in Affinity has propelled him into billionaire status, a testament to the lucrative nature of his dual role.
To avoid the appearance of impropriety, Kushner could simply step away from Affinity while engaged in diplomatic work. Or, perhaps, cease soliciting investments from nations directly impacted by his negotiations. But instead, he continues to navigate a treacherous path, leveraging his proximity to power for personal gain. The question isn’t whether he's technically breaking the law, but whether this arrangement represents a fundamental corruption of American foreign policy – a shadow diplomacy driven by profit.
As Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi succinctly put it, posting a screenshot of the New York Times article on social media: “Jared Kushner Solicits Funds for His Firm While Working as Mideast Envoy.” A pointed observation that underscores the troubling reality of a peace envoy’s side hustle.