All posts tagged "jared kushner"

Judge crushes Trump bid to protect Don Jr. and Ivanka Trump from his own lawsuit

A judge cleared the BBC to serve subpoenas on Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner after Secret Service protection thwarted in-person delivery.

On Friday, Politico senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein posted that U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjolique Lett granted the BBC's motion for alternative service in Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster, allowing the network to deliver the subpoenas by certified mail to the trio's home and business addresses and by email to Trump's lawyers.

The BBC argued the president's eldest son, daughter and son-in-law likely have "personal knowledge and possession of discoverable information" relevant to the case. Lett wrote that the network "has demonstrated the difficulties with effecting personal service" on the three, who are protected "as members of the sitting President's immediate family."

The judge brushed aside Trump's opposition, writing that it "attempts to impose procedural barriers that are inapplicable at this stage" rather than showing alternative service was unwarranted. She found "no compelling reason" to deny the request.

Trump's lawsuit accuses the BBC of "splicing together two entirely separate parts of President Trump's speech" on January 6, 2021, in a Panorama documentary, per an article by Fortune. The BBC has apologized to Trump for the misleading edit but said it had not defamed him.

According to the network's August motion, BBC lawyers attempted to serve subpoenas on Kushner and Ivanka Trump at their home in Miami in May, but police blocked the attempts. A Secret Service lawyer subsequently told the BBC that the agency was not authorized to accept subpoenas on behalf of the individuals. A separate attempt to serve Trump Jr. at Trump Tower in New York was also unsuccessful, per an article by The Washington Examiner.

The BBC noted that Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump were both present in the Oval Office when Trump was still revising his speech, per Fortune.

Trump's lawyers had called the subpoena push "politically-driven leverage over the President's family, not tailored discovery," The Hill reported.

Ex-Fox News host unloads on Trump over 'most outrageously corrupt situation' ever

A former Fox News host unloaded on President Donald Trump over his family's surging wealth, calling it corruption unlike anything the country has seen.

Geraldo Rivera made the remarks Saturday during a panel discussion with CNN host Abby Phillip, arguing that Trump is "unapologetic" about the money his relatives have pulled in since he returned to the White House.

"He thinks that as long as it's not illegal, let the good times roll," Rivera said.

Rivera singled out Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., pointing to the fortunes they've built through ventures running alongside the Trump administration.

"The fact that Jared and Eric and Don Jr. are making all this money with all of these, you know, side businesses, he thinks that's the American way," Rivera said. "And I look at it, and it's the most outrageously corrupt situation we've seen ever. Ever."

The former Fox News personality said there was no precedent for the scale of the enrichment.

"You've never had a situation where people's wealth has increased by the billions," he said.

Rivera tied the family's windfall to Congress's failure to pass a ban on stock trading by sitting lawmakers, noting that members can still own and trade shares while shaping policy that moves the value of those same holdings.

"There's a shamelessness to it," he said. "It's really tawdry."

Rivera did offer Trump some credit, saying he supports the president's push to remake Washington with monumental buildings and gold leaf in the Oval Office. He said he doesn't mind that the capital will look good and that its monuments will far outlive Trump.

"I'm proud of him for that," Rivera said.

But he said the goodwill stopped there, drawing a hard line between the building projects and what he described as the family cashing in on its proximity to power.

"The scummy thing is what they're doing with this side money and how they're making it," Rivera said. "People who are in a tight situation, those are the ones who are most affected and most hurt by it."

Jared Kushner tied to new 'alarming' deal day after he blasted 'misleading' scandal story

Jared Kushner's questionable ties to a deal he helped negotiate are again in the spotlight a day after he spoke out to defend himself.

On Saturday, The New York Times reported that Kushner's business partners stand to profit from a Russian oil deal he helped broker. A day earlier, Kushner took to X to blast a CNN report scrutinizing his business dealings in Israel.

Talks between the Trump administration and Russia over ending the war in Ukraine have widened to include a multibillion-dollar sale of international assets owned by Lukoil, one of Russia's largest oil companies, the Times reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the deal during a September 5 Kremlin meeting with Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, according to the report.

The leading group bidding for Lukoil's assets includes Trump megadonor Todd Boehly, a federal agency and two Middle Eastern investment groups with business ties to Kushner or Witkoff's family. One is a Qatar-based conglomerate run by brothers Moutaz and Ramez Al-Khayyat, who have partnered with Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, on a luxury resort in Albania.

Another member of the group is a fund controlled by Emirati national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose separate fund Lunate ranks among the biggest backers of Kushner's private equity firm.

The Times found no sign that Kushner or Witkoff would personally profit. But a senior administration official confirmed both men had a direct hand in shaping the federal government's financial stake, pushing for a "substantial upfront payment and profits interest for the United States."

Hui Chen, a former Justice Department prosecutor and ethics adviser, raised red flags about the arrangement.

"This is an alarming and very concerning set of entanglements," Chen told the Times. "And it means you have to question how the Trump administration is evaluating the different bidders involved here. Are the personal interests involved going to wrongly influence the outcome?"

The revelations land one day after Kushner went on the offensive against CNN, which reported Thursday that his firm Affinity Partners is the top shareholder in an Israeli financial company invested in suppliers to Israel's military. CNN noted it found no evidence his diplomacy affected those holdings.

"For the last 10 years, I have ignored false and misleading stories about me and focused on the work," Kushner posted on X Friday. He called CNN's story "deeply misleading" and vowed to start publicly rebutting coverage he views as inaccurate.

‘Out of control’: Jared Kushner lashes out at ‘deeply misleading’ CNN report

Jared Kushner lashed out at CNN on Friday, accusing the network of publishing a “deeply misleading” investigation about his business investments — and declaring that a decade of ignoring stories about himself was over.

“For the last 10 years, I have ignored false and misleading stories about me and focused on the work,” President Donald Trump’s son-in-law wrote Friday. “But the cycle has gotten out of control where old lies get repeated as fact, new ones get added, and the record becomes increasingly distorted.”

Kushner, who has served as an unofficial Middle East envoy while remaining outside the MAGA administration, said the time has come for him to break his 10-year silence.

“When the truth matters, I’ll put the facts and supporting information out publicly, and people can judge for themselves,” he wrote in an X post.

Kushner then made clear what prompted the unusual public rant.

“CNN published a deeply misleading story and headline suggesting that my diplomatic work in the Middle East somehow benefited investments in Israeli defense companies,” he wrote in a second post on his X account.

CNN reported Thursday that Kushner’s Affinity Partners is the largest shareholder in Israeli financial institution Phoenix Financial, which has investments in companies supplying Israel’s military. The network’s report noted it found no indication Kushner’s diplomatic actions directly affected those investments.

Kushner seized on that finding, arguing Friday that he has no role in deciding what Phoenix buys or sells and that Affinity’s investment predates Trump’s return to office.

“Those facts make for a less provocative headline, but a much more accurate story,” he wrote.

For the last 10 years, I have ignored false and misleading stories about me and focused on the work.

But the cycle has gotten out of control where old lies get repeated as fact, new ones get added, and the record becomes increasingly distorted.

So from time to time, I’m going…
— Jared Kushner (@jaredkushner) October 2, 2026

Ex-Trump official flags disturbing aspect of Jared Kushner's 'volunteer' status

A former Trump White House press secretary says Jared Kushner's "volunteer" role with the current administration lets him avoid disclosing how much money he makes.

During a Thursday interview with CNN anchor Erin Burnett, Stephanie Grisham made the claim following a CNN investigation into Kushner's financial ties to an Israeli company with stakes in firms that have seen business grow from the war in Gaza. According to CNN, Kushner's investment firm, Affinity Partners, is the largest shareholder in Phoenix Financial, which holds stakes worth more than $456 million in Israeli defense companies.

"None of this surprises me," Grisham said. "I recall back in our Trump administration, he had his hands in everything."

She also recalled how Kushner talked about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"I remember he used to bring Bibi up as if it was just like an old guy he plays basketball with. He would drop his name so casually," she said. "Jared had a way of, you know, making it seem like he was this mover and shaker, and don't worry, he'll fix everything."

Grisham then pointed to Affinity's growth since Kushner left the White House.

"After the first Trump administration, as you guys probably know, Affinity Partners was committed $2 billion from Saudi Arabia. And now I believe its assets are around $6 billion," she said. "Meanwhile, he's calling himself a volunteer. I mean, that's great volunteer work if you can get it, I guess."

She added, "I don't mean to be glib, but the reason he's a volunteer is because you don't have to then claim and show a lot of the money that you make during the time as a temporary public worker."

Asked whether the arrangement fit Kushner's past claim that "what people call conflicts of interest, I call experience and trusted relationships," Grisham said it didn't.

Jared Kushner's 'absolutely abhorrent' Ukraine proposal slammed by security expert

Comments by Jared Kushner about a possible "win-win" situation for Ukraine and Russia were slammed by an appalled national security expert.

During a Monday appearance on CNN, Alex Plitsas responded to Kushner's idea that Russia can get a win out of the war in Ukraine without infringing on territorial rights and sovereignty. Kushner suggested a "win-win" outcome while meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday as part of President Donald Trump's envoy, along with Steve Witkoff, to Ukraine and Russia.

"The sound bites that came out of Kyiv and Moscow from this trip, I'm sorry, were nothing short of embarrassing for the United States and were absolutely abhorrent," Plitsas said. "The idea that we should give in to Vladimir Putin's aspirations as part of this is absurd."

The weekend visit by Kushner and Witkoff marked the envoys' first trip to Kyiv since the war began, but no major breakthroughs were announced.

Plitsas said that Putin's troops have "killed hundreds of thousands across Ukraine" and noted "documented heinous war crimes, including raping and pillaging and hundreds of thousands dead." Those actions are meant to meet Putin's "aspirations to take the rest of the country," Plitsas explained.

"So while there's a recognition that there may have to be some territorial swaps, the language that is used in diplomacy is important," he said.

Plitsas also ripped into Witkoff for comments he made while meeting with Putin on Saturday. Witkoff said that he and Kushner plan to reminisce about his meeting with Putin after their retirements.

"The language that was used about what fond memories they would have of negotiations in Moscow, followed by the idea that Vladimir Putin's aspirations are valid to be taken into account, is absolutely absurd," Plitsas said. "I was actually pretty disgusted with what I heard."

Plitsas added, "It's the first time I've used that type of language to describe this, but this was embarrassing."

Steve Witkoff slammed for 'humiliating bootlicking' after plans to reminisce with Putin

President Donald Trump's envoy sparked outrage for "sucking up" to Russian leader Vladimir Putin with plans to reminisce about their meeting.

On Saturday, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow to meet with Putin and negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. At one point during their meeting, Witkoff told Putin that their meeting would be a special memory later in life.

"President Putin, thank you so much for having us. We were sitting outside just now," Witkoff said, referring to himself, Kushner and their Russian counterparts. "We were talking about, when we retire, we'll have all these incredible stories and memories, and yours will be right at the top of it all."

The remarks were met with condemnation on X as people pointed out Putin's record as Russian leader and what's going on in Ukraine.

"This to a man launching ballistic missiles at maternity hospitals and stealing Ukrainian children en masse," wrote former National Security Council spokesman and political podcaster Tommy Vietor. "Humiliating bootlicking."

"I never thought I'd see the day where America acted so weak," reacted Ukraine-based journalist Jay Beecher. "But here they are, sucking up to a mass-murdering Russian dictator who happens to also be helping Iran to kill American troops."

"Steve Witkoff addresses his true love, the war criminal," summed up economist Michael MacKay.

Economist Lars Christensen called Witkoff's comments a "disgrace."

Military tech blogger and Kash Patel-foe Jim Stewartson called the meeting between Witkoff, Kushner, and Putin a "combination of treason, conflict of interest, and sheer corruption never seen at this level of geopolitics," in his reaction to the comments.

"It'll be an incredible memory for us all," joked British war studies lecturer Ruth Deyermond. "The time the US president sent two of his closest, if least competent, aides to flatter the autocrat responsible for an unprovoked war against a neighbour and the murder of many thousands of its citizens. In front of the world's cameras."

'Stop pretending': MAGA firebrand unloads on Jared Kushner for Russia visit

A MAGA firebrand put Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in her crosshairs just hours after the pair landed in Russia for peace talks.

On Saturday, Kushner and Witkoff arrived in Moscow to meet with special representatives for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Trump said on Friday that Kushner and Witkoff are carrying a proposal to "end the war" in Ukraine, adding, "We have an idea for peace."

Trump loyalist and MAGA diehard Laura Loomer wasn't buying the Trump administration's message, however. She took to X to cast doubt on the Trump envoy's mission and rally more of MAGA against them.

"Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are in Moscow, Russia," Loomer wrote. "They just arrived for more 'peace talks' despite the fact that Putin is aiding the Iranians in killing US soldiers."

Loomer notably used to be fiercely anti-Ukraine, a country she once claimed was "full of Nazis," PBS reported. She visited the country in July, and since then, has reversed course. She said that she was "bamboozled by Russian propaganda" and "came to believe a lot of untrue things about Ukraine," CNN reported. She called out Russia in her Saturday rant.

"Meanwhile, Russia continues to pummel Ukraine with ballistic missiles and shows no sign of stopping anytime soon," Loomer wrote. "Everyday, Ukrainian civilians are slaughtered and Putin has shown no good faith in ending the war."

She then added that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky "has offered to travel to the US to sign a peace deal to end the war, but Putin continues his aggression against Ukraine." She then tied Putin to Iran again, writing that he hasn't stopped "his support for the Islamic regime of Iran despite pretending to support President Trump."

Loomer demanded, "We should stop pretending like Russia isn't a terrorist state," and mentioned that "Russia is still holding 10 Americans hostage as well," although groups like the Foley Foundation report that at least six Americans are detained in Russia.

Trump biographer reveals why Jared Kushner will never get chewed out by his father-in-law

A biographer revealed why President Donald Trump would never chew out Jared Kushner, who recently met with a foe of the administration.

During an episode of Inside Trump's Head, author Michael Wolff revealed that Trump is "slightly intimidated" by his son-in-law. Wolff explained the relationship while responding to co-host Joanna Coles' speculation about whether Trump exploded at Kushner for meeting with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the House minority leader.

"Jared is operating his own independent office," Wolff said.

"So what's inside Trump's head over this meeting?" Coles wondered. "Is he like, 'I can't control my son-in-law?'"

Coles and Wolff framed the Kushner-Jeffries meeting as a power play before the midterms. They explained that Kushner expects the Democrats to take control of the House after the midterms, so Kushner reached out to Jeffries.

"'I might as well meet with him, and maybe I'll learn something,'" Wolff said, speculating Jeffries' thinking. "Maybe he was doing it as a favor."

However, Wolff said that with Trump, "His family is always right," so he likely didn't chew out Kushner when news of the meeting leaked.

"Really?" Coles asked. "So, he doesn't pick up the phone and yell at Jared? 'What were you thinking?'"

"No," Wolff said. "First thing, he's slightly intimidated by Jared."

"He's intimidated by him?" Coles responded. "Why?"

"Because he went to Harvard. Because he got the daughter," Wolff explained. "All of those reasons."

"And he's thin," Coles joked, referring back to a conversation they had about Trump's weight and weight-loss efforts.

"And Jared is very good at playing his father-in-law," Wolff continued. "I've seen the way he moves around his father-in-law, never engaging, always being able to refocus the subject on something that his father-in-law wants to talk about. I mean, it's kind of artful."

Wolff added, "Jared is really the only person who survived the first term and prospered, right?"

Trump 'miscalculated badly' as BBC nightmare threatens to expose his kids: analysis

President Donald Trump's own words could come back to haunt him — and his children and son-in-law.

Salon's Sophia Tesfaye discussed how the president's BBC lawsuit could reveal more information about his statements on Jan. 6, 2021, and his family's connection to the events that day. It's tied to the question around Trump's statement and what he meant when he told a crowd "fight like hell" before a group of insurrectionists attacked the U.S. Capitol.

But Trump might not have realized his previous legal strategy would backfire, Tesfaye argued.

"He miscalculated badly," Tesfaye wrote. "As a public service corporation, the BBC operates under a royal charter that explicitly bars it from entering into out-of-court financial settlements to make litigation disappear. It cannot cut a check to sweep away Trump’s claims. The corporation is legally bound to fight until a verdict is reached — or until Trump himself gives up. And its defense team, anchored by the First Amendment firm Ballard Spahr, has used that obligation to go straight at the people closest to Trump on Jan. 6."

Although Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner have dodged BBC subpoenas from behind their Miami compound, using the Secret Service to block the network, Tesfaye explained. That could delay the process, but it can't stop the lawsuit Trump started, which his children will eventually have to face.

"And if the case proceeds, they may have to say so under oath," Tesfaye wrote.

"Trump’s own conduct made this exposure worse," Tesfaye added. "The BBC also sought his financial records to test the legitimacy of the massive damages he claimed to have suffered — a maneuver that prompted him to quietly abandon his monetary claims rather than open his ledgers to public scrutiny. His lawyers had previously dismissed the request as a 'fishing expedition.' But this is how discovery works: If you claim a broadcast inflicted extraordinary economic harm, the defendant gets to test that claim. Trump built the case that now threatens to expose his own children and son-in-law, and he built it because he assumed no one would ever call his bluff."