Does Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners conflict with his role in Middle East negotiations, as congressional Democrats and ethics groups say?
Congressional Democrats and ethics groups say Jared Kushner's investment firm, Affinity Partners, conflicts with his role in Middle East negotiations. Kushner, his lawyers and the White House dispute that. CNN found no indication his diplomacy directly affected the investments it reviewed.
Claim in dispute
Jared Kushner's simultaneous roles as Special Envoy for Peace and chief executive of Affinity Partners, which has raised billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, create a glaring and incurable conflict of interest.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
The fixed reference point for classification in this case is the proposition that Jared Kushner's private business through Affinity Partners, including its investments in Israeli companies and the Gulf capital behind it, creates a conflict of interest with his role in U.S. Middle East negotiations. A response that asserts or endorses that proposition is recorded as Condemned. A response that argues the arrangement is proper or that no conflict exists is recorded as Defended or excused, and a response that only disputes a label, such as calling Phoenix a defense company, without defending the arrangement is recorded as Challenged the characterization. We framed the case around the conflict-of-interest question because that is what the letters, CREW, CNN's headline and the White House's replies all address. We did not frame it around Kushner investing in Israeli defense companies, a description that goes beyond the documents we found: CNN and Kushner both say Affinity holds none of the nine companies CNN identified directly, although CNN adds that Affinity "does stand to reap rewards when Phoenix makes a profit"; we found no defense company among Affinity's publicly known holdings, and its Phoenix stake is a minority stake in an insurer. We also did not frame it around whether Kushner's diplomacy actually benefited his investments, which CNN reported no indication of and which no document we found shows.
This case keeps five questions apart: what Kushner's formal role and ethics obligations are, what Affinity holds in Israel and what those companies hold, where Affinity's capital comes from and whether it raised money during the talks, what has and has not been shown about any effect of his diplomacy on the investments, and who has responded to these questions and who has not. It does not decide whether Kushner broke any law or rule, whether any decision was influenced by an investment, or whether the allegations in the letters are correct. It concerns Jared Kushner and Affinity Partners, not Kushner Companies, the family real estate firm, or investments by his brother Joshua Kushner. Information is current as of October 4, 2026.
On Kushner's role and the rules, the record on his status is split. President Trump said at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace on February 19, 2026 that "we're making Jared an Envoy also" and called him an "Envoy of Peace," and the official record (opens in a new tab) of the remarks identifies him as U.S. Special Envoy for Peace. The White House had named him to the Board of Peace's executive board (opens in a new tab) on January 16. The White House says he conducts his diplomatic engagements "on a volunteer basis at the President's request," and CNN (opens in a new tab) writes that he is "not required to disclose his holdings because of his volunteer status." The Times (opens in a new tab) wrote on March 19 that he "holds no official government role," and Reuters (opens in a new tab) described him on September 28 as "a US special envoy for peace but not a government employee." We did not find an appointment document, a public financial disclosure report, an ethics agreement or a conflict-of-interest waiver for Kushner as of October 4, 2026. We could not query the Office of Government Ethics directly, so we cannot say none exists.
The conflict-of-interest statute, 18 U.S.C. 208 (opens in a new tab), covers officers and employees of the executive branch, including special Government employees, and a regulation (opens in a new tab) requires a public financial disclosure report within 30 days of assuming a covered position. CREW wrote (opens in a new tab) to the White House counsel on March 11 that the February 19 designation triggers that deadline. Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden asked (opens in a new tab) the White House on March 19 whether Kushner is required to file and whether he has, with a response date of April 2. We could not locate a public reply to either letter. A 1977 Justice Department opinion (opens in a new tab) on informal presidential advisers says that "an identifiable act of appointment may not be absolutely essential" where the parties omitted it to avoid the conflict-of-interest laws. It also concludes that an adviser need not be designated a special Government employee "solely by virtue of his informal consultations with the President," while saying that an adviser who chaired meetings of agency employees and "assumed considerable responsibility for coordinating the Administration's activities" in one area was engaging in a governmental function and should be designated a special Government employee for that work. We found no opinion from the Office of Legal Counsel, the Office of Government Ethics or the White House Counsel applying it to Kushner.
On what Affinity holds in Israel, the documents show two holdings. In September 2023 it agreed to take 15 percent (opens in a new tab), adjustable up to 18 percent, of a new subsidiary holding the Shlomo Group's car leasing, rental, sales and credit businesses. The deal closed (opens in a new tab) on February 1, 2024 at a lower valuation. Calcalist (opens in a new tab) put the closing price at $110 million, down about $40 million from the price published at signing, and CNN reports $150 million, the signing figure. Globes reports that the new company owns only the Shlomo Group's automobile division. The Shlomo Group's parent, Shmeltzer Holdings, is also a part owner of Israel Shipyards, a builder of Israeli navy vessels, according to a 2024 New York Times report (opens in a new tab). The reports we read do not say Affinity's stake includes the shipyard. The second holding is Phoenix Financial, an Israeli insurer and asset manager. Affinity bought 4.95 percent in July 2024, and Israel's capital markets regulator approved (opens in a new tab) a second 4.95 percent on January 15, 2025, which made Affinity Phoenix's largest shareholder. On July 28, 2026 Affinity sold (opens in a new tab) about a quarter of its holding for NIS 1.05 billion, which Calcalist (opens in a new tab) converts to $343 million, and kept 7.4 percent.
CNN used Israeli financial filings to trace some of Phoenix's holdings. It reports that Phoenix holds at least $265 million in Elbit Systems, Israel's largest weapons manufacturer, more than $68 million in Next Vision, at least $40 million in Reshef Technologies, $524,524 in Israel Shipyards and more than 10 percent of Ashot Ashkelon, plus small stakes in Boeing and Caterpillar. CNN says the filings show only a fraction of Phoenix's holdings, that Phoenix declined to address apparent inconsistencies in the labeling of some of its reports, and that two Israeli forensic accountants concluded the filings are Phoenix's holdings. It says "Affinity doesn't directly hold a stake in the nine companies CNN identified" and that some of the stakes predate Affinity's. DI has not independently checked Phoenix's holdings. CNN does not say which holdings sit on Phoenix's own account. Kushner says Phoenix "manages the retirement savings of millions of Israelis" and that he has no role in its choices. The only sentence we found in the oversight letters about Israeli holdings is in Raskin's April 16 letter (opens in a new tab), which says Kushner raised billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, "often then turning around and investing those very same funds in Israeli companies closely tied to the military and defense establishment." It names no company and cites the 2024 Times report. We found no document that traces specific investor dollars to specific investments, and Affinity's filing names no investors. The New Yorker writes that "Kushner used Saudi money" for the Shlomo Group and Phoenix investments, as part of a broader goal of opening an "investment corridor" between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Affinity's full list of investments is not public.
On where the capital comes from, Affinity's SEC filing (opens in a new tab) of March 22, 2026 reports $6,160,297,411 in regulatory assets under management, of which $6,097,061,904 is attributable to clients who are not U.S. persons. The filing lists no investors by name. A letter (opens in a new tab) from Sen. Wyden in 2024 reports that Affinity told Senate Finance Committee staff the Saudi Public Investment Fund had committed $2 billion for a period from June 2021 through August 2026, and that five other foreign investors, including sovereign wealth funds of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, had committed about $1 billion more. AGBI (opens in a new tab) reported in December 2024 that Affinity added $1.5 billion from the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi's Lunate. Kushner said on a podcast on December 20, 2024, "We pre-emptively tried to avoid any conflicts, so we don't have to raise capital for the next four years."
The New York Times reported on March 13, 2026 that Kushner was soliciting $5 billion or more for Affinity, a report the Garcia and Wyden letters (opens in a new tab) cite. Affinity's chief legal officer, Ian Brekke, told the Times (opens in a new tab) that the firm had "early conversations" about fund-raising and "does not intend to take in any additional capital while Jared is volunteering for the government." Raskin's letter says filings show Affinity raised an additional $1.2 billion in the past year. Assets under management can rise from investment gains as well as new capital, and the filing does not separate them. The New Yorker reported (opens in a new tab) on September 14 that new Middle East investments helped the fund grow by thirty percent in 2025, to more than six billion dollars, and that Kushner "was also discreetly raising another five billion dollars for Affinity in the Middle East". It also reports that White House lawyers argued his declining a salary made it impossible for his government and business interests to conflict, and says most ethics specialists see the salary as irrelevant because federal law bars government agents from participating in matters in which they have a financial stake. A September 15 New Republic item (opens in a new tab) summarized that as "managed to raise $5 billion". We found no filing or statement showing a closed raise of that size, and the Times and Affinity's reply describe talks, not a completed raise. As of October 4, 2026 we could not locate a statement from Affinity on whether it has accepted new capital since March.
On whether the diplomacy affected the investments, CNN wrote that it "found no indication that Kushner's actions as a diplomat directly affected the investments reviewed." It also reports that Kushner told Forbes in September 2025 that he keeps "a very active dialogue" with Phoenix, meeting its leadership every few weeks. His attorney told CNN the statement was accurate at the time and that Kushner has "never participated in or directed Phoenix's decisions." CNN says the attorney added that Kushner's interaction with Phoenix's management had significantly reduced since he became "substantially more engaged in volunteer public-service and diplomatic efforts." CNN also reports that Kushner, in what CNN describes as an argument that financial profit is the best path toward lasting peace, said on the "No Priors" podcast in September 2025 that his Middle Eastern investors were saying "Wait a minute, maybe there's a benefit to having these wars done." CREW's chief ethics counsel, quoted by CNN, said "the people profiting should not be the people making the decisions to make that policy." We found no document showing that a decision Kushner took as a negotiator favored an Affinity holding, and CNN reports none.
On who has responded, Kushner replied in an October 2 post on X (opens in a new tab) that "Phoenix is not a defense company," that he has "no role in deciding what Phoenix buys or sells," that the investment "is public and dates to before President Trump was re-elected and before I returned to public service," and that "Affinity does not own the defense companies highlighted in CNN's story." White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told CNN that his "personal business activities have nothing to do with his diplomatic engagements," and Kushner's lawyer Chad Mizelle told Reuters on September 28 that no critic "has identified a single applicable rule or regulation he has violated." Phoenix declined to comment on CNN's findings and its spokesperson noted that the firm is "regulated." Boeing declined to comment, and Caterpillar and the other companies CNN named did not respond, according to CNN. Raskin's August 24 letter (opens in a new tab) says Kushner did not answer his April 16 letter, which asked for records by April 30, and that Affinity did not answer a May 7 email from committee staff. Reuters reported on September 28 that Raskin said Kushner had not responded to the two letters. We did not find a public reply from Kushner or Affinity to Garcia and Wyden beyond the statements to the Times on March 19. These letters come from ranking members of the minority party and carry no compulsory process, and we did not find a subpoena or a committee finding. Reuters reported that control of either chamber in the November 3 midterms would give Democrats subpoena power.
We did not find a named Republican lawmaker commenting on Affinity's investments in 2026. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said (opens in a new tab) on February 25 that Kushner and Witkoff are "not subject to Senate confirmation and they're not subject to oversight," which concerns their roles rather than Affinity, and Speaker Mike Johnson said (opens in a new tab) on August 23 that Kushner is "not really directly involved in the admin, at least in the day-to-day in the White House." Neither addressed Affinity's investments.
As of October 4, 2026, it is not established whether Kushner is covered by the federal disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, whether any rule or law has been broken, whether Affinity has taken in new capital since March, whether any decision was influenced by an investment, or what share of Phoenix's holdings CNN's partial records represent.
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Timeline
21 timeline entries on this page. Dates: January 21, 2021 to October 2, 2026
January 2021
1 event
Kushner incorporates the company that becomes Affinity Partners
Incident
CNN reports that Kushner incorporated the company he later transformed into Affinity Partners on January 21, 2021, one day after Donald Trump's first term ended, and Raskin's April 2026 letter gives the same date. Affinity told Senate Finance Committee staff in 2024 that the Saudi Public Investment Fund had committed $2 billion for a period running from June 2021 through August 2026, and that five other foreign investors had committed about $1 billion more.
[01]How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026)
Source excerpt
CNN found no indication that Kushner’s actions as a diplomat directly affected the investments reviewed.
A CNN investigation that used Israeli financial transparency filings to trace some of Phoenix Financial's holdings, reviewed by two Israeli forensic accountants. It reports that Affinity is Phoenix's largest shareholder, that Phoenix holds stakes in Elbit Systems (at least $265 million) and eight other companies that supply Israel's military, and that Affinity holds none of the nine directly. It says the filings show only a fraction of Phoenix's holdings. The page carries two headlines, 'Jared Kushner's company has large stake in firm with Israeli military links' and the one used here. It includes statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House, a Phoenix spokesperson and CREW. CNN's holdings figures have not been independently checked by DI.
How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026) · CNNOpening paragraphs; the section beginning 'In the case of Affinity's stake in Phoenix'; statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House and CREW[02]Letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin to Jared Kushner, Founder and CEO of Affinity Partners (April 16, 2026)
Source excerpt
From the standpoint of the American people, your decision to act in these two roles—one public for the government and one private for personal profit—creates a glaring and incurable conflict of interest.
A letter from the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee to Jared Kushner at Affinity Partners, with a news release dated April 17. It asks for 15 categories of records by April 30, 2026, including communications with Saudi, Emirati, Qatari and Israeli officials and records about Affinity's investors and fund investments. It says the committee is investigating, but it is a request from the minority side and carries no compulsory process. The letter names no Israeli company; its sentence about Israeli companies closely tied to the military and defense establishment cites a 2024 New York Times article.
Letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin to Jared Kushner, Founder and CEO of Affinity Partners (April 16, 2026) · Jamie RaskinPages 1-4 (opening paragraphs and the paragraph beginning 'You even accelerated your capital fundraising'); document requests on pages 5-6[03]Letter from Sen. Ron Wyden to Affinity Partners chief legal officer Chad Mizelle (September 24, 2024)
Source excerpt
Affinity indicated that the Saudi government’s Public Investment Fund (“the Saudi PIF”) is paying your company tens of millions of dollars in annual management fees, specifically a 1.25 percent fee on the $2 billion in funds committed to Affinity from June 2021 through August 2026.
Wyden's letter reports what Affinity told Finance Committee staff about its foreign investors: about $3 billion committed, $2 billion from the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the rest from five other foreign investors, including sovereign wealth funds of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, with a five-year investment period ending in August 2026. The letter also states Wyden's own view that the arrangements create conflicts of interest.
Letter from Sen. Ron Wyden to Affinity Partners chief legal officer Chad Mizelle (September 24, 2024) · Ron WydenPage 1, second paragraph
958 days between recorded events
September 2023
1 event
Shlomo Group announces Affinity's agreement to take 15 percent of its vehicle and credit unit
Incident
Shlomo Group reported an agreement for Affinity to take 15 percent, adjustable up to 18 percent, of a new subsidiary housing its car leasing, rental, sales and credit businesses, at a valuation of NIS 3.8 billion. Globes called it Affinity's first investment in an Israeli company. The deal closed on February 1, 2024 at a valuation of NIS 2.7 billion. Calcalist put the closing price for the 15 percent stake at $110 million, down about $40 million from the price published at signing. CNN gives $150 million, the signing figure. Globes reports the new company owns only the Shlomo Group's automobile division.
[04]Jared Kushner to invest NIS 570m in Shlomo Group (Globes, September 6, 2023)
Source excerpt
Under the terms of the agreement, a new subsidiary will be set up, which will incorporate joint activities (85% Shlomo Group and 15% Affinity)in leasing, rental, sales and credit.
Globes, an Israeli business daily, reports Shlomo Group's filing of an agreement for Affinity Partners to take 15 percent of a new subsidiary for its car rental, leasing, sales and credit activities, at a valuation of NIS 3.8 billion, with the stake capped at 18 percent by an adjustment mechanism. It calls this Affinity's first investment in an Israeli company and says Saudi Arabia 'has granted approval' for it, without naming a source for that statement. Publication time is given by Globes in Israel time (14:53).
Jared Kushner to invest NIS 570m in Shlomo Group (Globes, September 6, 2023)Third to fifth paragraphs[05]Kushner's Affinity Partners buys 15% Shlomo Group stake (Globes, February 1, 2024)
Source excerpt
Under the terms of the agreement, the new company will only own the companies that belong to the automobile division of the Shlomo Group
Globes reports completion of Affinity's 15 percent investment in the Shlomo vehicle and credit company at a valuation of NIS 2.7 billion, and says the new company will own only the Shlomo Group's automobile division. Publication time is given by Globes in Israel time (11:23).
Kushner's Affinity Partners buys 15% Shlomo Group stake (Globes, February 1, 2024)Third paragraph and the paragraph on the terms of the agreement[06]Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners investing $110M to acquire 15% of Shlomo Group's auto and credit operations (Calcalist, February 1, 2024)
Source excerpt
Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners has completed a deal to acquire 15% of Shlomo Group’s automotive and credit company for $110 million.
Calcalist, an Israeli business outlet, puts the completed price at $110 million, down from about $150 million at signing, after the valuation fell from NIS 3.8 billion to NIS 2.7 billion. It says the new company will for now hold only shares tied to Shlomo's automotive division. CNN gives the price as $150 million. Publication time is given by Calcalist in Israel time (11:10).
Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners investing $110M to acquire 15% of Shlomo Group's auto and credit operations (Calcalist, February 1, 2024)Opening paragraphs and the paragraph on the new company's holdings[01]How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026)
Source excerpt
CNN found no indication that Kushner’s actions as a diplomat directly affected the investments reviewed.
A CNN investigation that used Israeli financial transparency filings to trace some of Phoenix Financial's holdings, reviewed by two Israeli forensic accountants. It reports that Affinity is Phoenix's largest shareholder, that Phoenix holds stakes in Elbit Systems (at least $265 million) and eight other companies that supply Israel's military, and that Affinity holds none of the nine directly. It says the filings show only a fraction of Phoenix's holdings. The page carries two headlines, 'Jared Kushner's company has large stake in firm with Israeli military links' and the one used here. It includes statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House, a Phoenix spokesperson and CREW. CNN's holdings figures have not been independently checked by DI.
How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026) · CNNOpening paragraphs; the section beginning 'In the case of Affinity's stake in Phoenix'; statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House and CREW
216 days between recorded events
April 2024
1 event
The New York Times reports the Shlomo Group's parent is part owner of Israel Shipyards
Source release
The Times reported that Shmeltzer Holdings, the parent company of the Shlomo Group, is also a part owner of Israel Shipyards, the country's only domestic shipbuilder for the Israeli navy. Raskin's April 16, 2026 letter cites the article for its statement about Israeli companies tied to the military and defense establishment. The Globes and Calcalist reports on the deal say the company Affinity invested in holds the automotive division, and the Times copy we read does not say the shipyard is part of it.
[07]As Kushner's Investment Firm Steps Out, the Potential Conflicts Are Growing (The New York Times, April 9, 2024, syndicated copy)
Source excerpt
Shmeltzer Holdings, the parent company of the Shlomo Group, is also a part owner of Israel Shipyards, the country’s only domestic shipbuilder for the Israeli navy.
A syndicated copy of The New York Times's April 2024 report, which the Raskin letter of April 16, 2026 cites in a footnote. It says Kushner took a 15 percent stake in the Shlomo Group's car and credit unit and that its parent company is part owner of Israel Shipyards. The Globes and Calcalist reports we read say the new company holds only the automotive division. The copy is dated April 22, 2024 on the host site; the Times's original is dated April 9.
As Kushner's Investment Firm Steps Out, the Potential Conflicts Are Growing (The New York Times, April 9, 2024, syndicated copy) · The New York TimesParagraph on the Shlomo Group stake[02]Letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin to Jared Kushner, Founder and CEO of Affinity Partners (April 16, 2026)
Source excerpt
From the standpoint of the American people, your decision to act in these two roles—one public for the government and one private for personal profit—creates a glaring and incurable conflict of interest.
A letter from the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee to Jared Kushner at Affinity Partners, with a news release dated April 17. It asks for 15 categories of records by April 30, 2026, including communications with Saudi, Emirati, Qatari and Israeli officials and records about Affinity's investors and fund investments. It says the committee is investigating, but it is a request from the minority side and carries no compulsory process. The letter names no Israeli company; its sentence about Israeli companies closely tied to the military and defense establishment cites a 2024 New York Times article.
Letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin to Jared Kushner, Founder and CEO of Affinity Partners (April 16, 2026) · Jamie RaskinPages 1-4 (opening paragraphs and the paragraph beginning 'You even accelerated your capital fundraising'); document requests on pages 5-6[05]Kushner's Affinity Partners buys 15% Shlomo Group stake (Globes, February 1, 2024)
Source excerpt
Under the terms of the agreement, the new company will only own the companies that belong to the automobile division of the Shlomo Group
Globes reports completion of Affinity's 15 percent investment in the Shlomo vehicle and credit company at a valuation of NIS 2.7 billion, and says the new company will own only the Shlomo Group's automobile division. Publication time is given by Globes in Israel time (11:23).
Kushner's Affinity Partners buys 15% Shlomo Group stake (Globes, February 1, 2024)Third paragraph and the paragraph on the terms of the agreement
255 days between recorded events
December 2024
1 event
Kushner says on a podcast that Affinity tried to avoid conflicts so it would not need to raise capital for four years
Claim
On the podcast Invest Like the Best, Kushner said, "We pre-emptively tried to avoid any conflicts, so we don't have to raise capital for the next four years." AGBI reported that Affinity had added $1.5 billion from the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi's Lunate. Raskin's April 2026 letter and Popular Information cite the remark when discussing Affinity's later fundraising.
[08]Kushner's Affinity raises new capital from QIA and Lunate (AGBI, December 22, 2024)
Source excerpt
We pre-emptively tried to avoid any conflicts, so we don’t have to raise capital for the next four years.
A report on Kushner's December 20, 2024 appearance on the podcast 'Invest Like the Best.' It says Affinity raised $1.5 billion from the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi's Lunate, quotes Kushner on avoiding conflicts and on not needing to raise capital for four years, and quotes him saying he told investors they 'should not expect anything' from him if Trump were elected.
Kushner's Affinity raises new capital from QIA and Lunate (AGBI, December 22, 2024)Paragraphs quoting Kushner's remarks on the podcast 'Invest Like the Best'[09]Kushner breaks pledge, seeks $5 billion more from foreign governments (Popular Information, March 16, 2026)
Source excerpt
The influx of cash, Kushner said, would allow his firm “to avoid any conflicts” and ensure “we don’t have to raise capital for the next four years.”
A newsletter from journalist Judd Legum, which describes itself as independent and takes critical positions on the Trump administration, summarizing The New York Times's March 13, 2026 report that Kushner was seeking $5 billion or more and quoting Kushner's December 20, 2024 podcast remarks. The Times article itself was not available to us.
[02]Letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin to Jared Kushner, Founder and CEO of Affinity Partners (April 16, 2026)
Source excerpt
From the standpoint of the American people, your decision to act in these two roles—one public for the government and one private for personal profit—creates a glaring and incurable conflict of interest.
A letter from the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee to Jared Kushner at Affinity Partners, with a news release dated April 17. It asks for 15 categories of records by April 30, 2026, including communications with Saudi, Emirati, Qatari and Israeli officials and records about Affinity's investors and fund investments. It says the committee is investigating, but it is a request from the minority side and carries no compulsory process. The letter names no Israeli company; its sentence about Israeli companies closely tied to the military and defense establishment cites a 2024 New York Times article.
Letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin to Jared Kushner, Founder and CEO of Affinity Partners (April 16, 2026) · Jamie RaskinPages 1-4 (opening paragraphs and the paragraph beginning 'You even accelerated your capital fundraising'); document requests on pages 5-6
26 days between recorded events
January 2025
1 event
Israel's capital markets regulator approves Affinity's second Phoenix purchase
Incident
Israel's Capital Market, Insurance and Savings Authority approved Affinity's exercise of an option for a second 4.95 percent of Phoenix Financial on the last day before the option expired. Affinity's stake rose to 9.9 percent, making it Phoenix's largest shareholder, five days before Donald Trump was sworn in for a second term, according to CNN. Globes reports Affinity bought its first 4.95 percent in July 2024 for about NIS 470 million. Calcalist reports that the approval carried a cap of 5 percent on Affinity's voting rights, a condition reported by Calcalist.
[10]Jared Kushner becomes biggest shareholder in Phoenix (Globes, January 15, 2025)
Source excerpt
With receipt of the approval, Affinity Fund’s holdings in Phoenix, Israel’s biggest insurance and financial company, have risen to 9.9%, making it the biggest shareholder in Phoenix.
Globes reports that Israel's Capital Market, Insurance and Savings Authority approved Affinity's exercise of an option for a second 4.95 percent of Phoenix Financial on the last day before the option expired, and that the regulator was expected to impose restrictions because the fund is a 'Saudi fund' financed mainly from Gulf countries. It says Affinity bought its first 4.95 percent in July 2024 for about NIS 470 million. Publication time is given by Globes in Israel time (14:18).
[01]How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026)
Source excerpt
CNN found no indication that Kushner’s actions as a diplomat directly affected the investments reviewed.
A CNN investigation that used Israeli financial transparency filings to trace some of Phoenix Financial's holdings, reviewed by two Israeli forensic accountants. It reports that Affinity is Phoenix's largest shareholder, that Phoenix holds stakes in Elbit Systems (at least $265 million) and eight other companies that supply Israel's military, and that Affinity holds none of the nine directly. It says the filings show only a fraction of Phoenix's holdings. The page carries two headlines, 'Jared Kushner's company has large stake in firm with Israeli military links' and the one used here. It includes statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House, a Phoenix spokesperson and CREW. CNN's holdings figures have not been independently checked by DI.
How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026) · CNNOpening paragraphs; the section beginning 'In the case of Affinity's stake in Phoenix'; statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House and CREW[11]Fidelity leads $343 million purchase of Jared Kushner's Phoenix shares (Calcalist, July 29, 2026)
Source excerpt
has sold roughly a quarter of its stake in Israel’s largest insurance company, Phoenix Financial, raising NIS 1.05 billion ($343 million).
Calcalist converts the sale to $343 million, names Fidelity as the largest of three institutional buyers, and reports that the regulator approved the 2025 increase on the condition that Affinity's voting rights would be capped at 5 percent. The voting-cap condition appears only in this report among those we read. The same article says Affinity acquired its Shlomo stake in 2025 for $110 million; the Globes and Calcalist deal reports show signing in September 2023 and closing in February 2024. Publication time is given by Calcalist in Israel time (08:58).
Fidelity leads $343 million purchase of Jared Kushner's Phoenix shares (Calcalist, July 29, 2026)Opening paragraphs and the paragraph on the regulator's approval conditions
366 days between recorded events
January 2026
1 event
The White House names Kushner to the Board of Peace's executive board
The White House announced a founding Executive Board for the Board of Peace, a body chaired by President Trump, and named Kushner among its members, with Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Tony Blair and others. It also named him to a Gaza Executive Board. The statement gives him no title and says each Executive Board member will oversee a defined portfolio and lists subject areas that include governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding and capital mobilization. It does not say which member holds which.
[12]White House statement on President Trump's comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict (January 16, 2026)
Source excerpt
Each Executive Board member will oversee a defined portfolio critical to Gaza’s stabilization and long-term success
The White House statement naming the Board of Peace's founding Executive Board, which includes Jared Kushner without a title, and a Gaza Executive Board on which he also sits. It says each Executive Board member will oversee a defined portfolio and lists subject areas that include governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding and capital mobilization, without saying which member holds which.
White House statement on President Trump's comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict (January 16, 2026) · The White HouseParagraphs listing the Board of Peace founding Executive Board and the Gaza Executive Board
34 days between recorded events
February 2026
1 event
President Trump says he is making Kushner an envoy
At the Board of Peace's inaugural meeting, Trump said, "we're making Jared an Envoy also," and called him an "Envoy of Peace." The official record of the remarks identifies Kushner as U.S. Special Envoy for Peace in a note. According to CNN, Kushner said at the same meeting that "A lot of these people are volunteers" and that "People are not personally profiting from this." We did not find an appointment document. The White House's later description is that Kushner works on a volunteer basis.
[13]Remarks at the Inaugural Meeting of the Board of Peace, Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents (February 19, 2026)
Source excerpt
And we're making Jared an Envoy also—Envoy of Peace. They're both envoys of peace.
The official record of President Trump's remarks at the Board of Peace's inaugural meeting. The remarks say 'we're making Jared an Envoy also'; the record's notes identify him as U.S. Special Envoy for Peace Jared C. Kushner. We did not find an appointment document. The White House's later description is that Kushner conducts his diplomatic engagements on a volunteer basis.
Remarks at the Inaugural Meeting of the Board of Peace, Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents (February 19, 2026) · The White HousePage 8 of the PDF (President Trump's remarks about Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner) and the note on page 16 identifying 'U.S. Special Envoy for Peace Jared C. Kushner'[01]How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026)
Source excerpt
CNN found no indication that Kushner’s actions as a diplomat directly affected the investments reviewed.
A CNN investigation that used Israeli financial transparency filings to trace some of Phoenix Financial's holdings, reviewed by two Israeli forensic accountants. It reports that Affinity is Phoenix's largest shareholder, that Phoenix holds stakes in Elbit Systems (at least $265 million) and eight other companies that supply Israel's military, and that Affinity holds none of the nine directly. It says the filings show only a fraction of Phoenix's holdings. The page carries two headlines, 'Jared Kushner's company has large stake in firm with Israeli military links' and the one used here. It includes statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House, a Phoenix spokesperson and CREW. CNN's holdings figures have not been independently checked by DI.
How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026) · CNNOpening paragraphs; the section beginning 'In the case of Affinity's stake in Phoenix'; statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House and CREW
March 2026
6 events
Democracy Defenders Fund asks the State Department's inspector general to investigate Kushner's appointment
Claim
Democracy Defenders Fund wrote to the State Department's Office of Inspector General asking it to investigate Kushner's appointment as Special Envoy for Peace and his activities in that role. The letter, signed by Norman L. Eisen, Virginia Canter and Christopher Swartz, says the group is deeply concerned that the appointment violates the anti-nepotism statute, creates insurmountable conflicts of interest and implicates the Foreign Emoluments Clause. As of October 4, 2026, we did not find a public response from the Office of Inspector General.
[14]Democracy Defenders Fund letter to the State Department Office of Inspector General on Jared Kushner's appointment (March 3, 2026)
Source excerpt
creates insurmountable conflicts of interest
Eight-page letter dated March 3, 2026, addressed to the State Department's Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Inspector General and copied to the White House and State Department ethics officials and the Office of Government Ethics. It asks for an investigation of Kushner's appointment as Special Envoy for Peace and his activities in that role, and it also argues that the appointment implicates the anti-nepotism statute and the Foreign Emoluments Clause.
Democracy Defenders Fund letter to the State Department Office of Inspector General on Jared Kushner's appointment (March 3, 2026) · Democracy Defenders FundPages 1 to 2, second paragraph, and page 8, conclusion[15]Democracy Defenders Fund Demands Investigation into Appointment of Jared Kushner as Special Envoy for Peace (March 3, 2026)
Source excerpt
creates grave and unprecedented conflicts of interest
Release announcing the letter to the State Department Office of Inspector General. It says the complaint alleges the appointment likely violates the anti-nepotism statute and creates grave and unprecedented conflicts of interest, and it quotes DDF's Chief Counsel and Director of Ethics and Anti-Corruption, Virginia Canter, and senior ethics counsel, Christopher Swartz.
Democracy Defenders Fund Demands Investigation into Appointment of Jared Kushner as Special Envoy for Peace (March 3, 2026) · Democracy Defenders FundFirst and second paragraphsCREW asks the White House to collect Kushner's financial disclosure report
Claim
CREW President Donald K. Sherman wrote to White House Counsel David Warrington that Kushner's February 19 designation triggers the 30-day deadline for a public financial disclosure report, and copied the Office of Government Ethics. CREW had said on February 20 that Kushner should divest from Affinity Partners. As of October 4, 2026, we could not locate a public reply, a filed report or a White House statement on whether he must file.
[16]CREW letter to White House Counsel David Warrington on Jared Kushner's financial disclosure (March 11, 2026)
Source excerpt
respectfully urges your office to collect and review Mr. Kushner’s public financial disclosure report as soon as possible within the statutorily mandated timeframe of 30 days.
A letter from the ethics group CREW to the White House counsel, copied to the Office of Government Ethics, arguing that Kushner's February 19, 2026 designation as a special envoy triggers the federal rule requiring a public financial disclosure report within 30 days. The White House's position, given to CNN on October 1, is that Kushner conducts his diplomacy on a volunteer basis. As of October 4, 2026 we could not locate a public reply to the letter.
CREW letter to White House Counsel David Warrington on Jared Kushner's financial disclosure (March 11, 2026) · Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in WashingtonFirst paragraph and the paragraphs on the 30-day filing rule[17]CREW statement on Jared Kushner's role as special peace envoy (February 20, 2026)
Source excerpt
Kushner should also proactively divest from his firm, Affinity Partners.
CREW's release the day after President Trump's February 19 remarks. It says the designation formalizes a role Kushner had been playing and will likely require a financial disclosure report, and it quotes CREW's president calling for Senate advice and consent, divestment from Affinity Partners and a security clearance.
CREW statement on Jared Kushner's role as special peace envoy (February 20, 2026) · Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in WashingtonQuoted statement from CREW President Donald K. Sherman, second and third paragraphs[18]5 C.F.R. 2634.201, Reporting requirements for public financial disclosure reports
Source excerpt
Within 30 days of assuming a public filer position or office described in § 2634.202, an individual must file a public financial disclosure report
The Office of Government Ethics regulation that requires a new public filer to file a public financial disclosure report within 30 days. CREW and the lawmakers who wrote on March 19, 2026 rely on it; whether Jared Kushner holds a covered position is disputed.
5 C.F.R. 2634.201, Reporting requirements for public financial disclosure reportsParagraph (b)(1), new entrantsThe New York Times reports Kushner has discussed raising $5 billion or more for Affinity
Source release
The Times reported that Kushner had spoken with potential investors in recent weeks about raising $5 billion or more for Affinity Partners and that Affinity had met recently with Saudi Arabian officials about investing more money in its fund. Kushner had said in December 2024 that Affinity did not need to raise capital for four years. This entry relies on the Times's March 19 follow-up, the Garcia and Wyden letters that cite the report, and Popular Information's summary.
[19]Democrats Demand Answers on Jared Kushner's Mideast Business Dealings (The New York Times, March 19, 2026, as reposted on Rep. Robert Garcia's website)
Source excerpt
Ian Brekke, Affinity’s chief legal officer, confirmed in a statement that the firm had “early conversations” about fund-raising but “does not intend to take in any additional capital while Jared is volunteering for the government.”
The Times's report on the March 19 letters, reposted in full on the website of one of the letters' authors, Rep. Robert Garcia, under 'In the News.' We read it there because the Times page was not available to us. It carries the responses of Affinity's chief legal officer and a White House spokeswoman, and the Times's own statement that Kushner 'holds no official government role.'
Democrats Demand Answers on Jared Kushner's Mideast Business Dealings (The New York Times, March 19, 2026, as reposted on Rep. Robert Garcia's website) · The New York TimesParagraphs quoting Ian Brekke and Anna Kelly[20]Letter from Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden to Affinity Partners (March 19, 2026)
Source excerpt
It appears that while Mr. Kushner is representing the U.S. government in negotiations in the Middle East, he is simultaneously seeking to raise at least $5 billion in additional foreign capital for his private equity firm, Affinity Partners.
The two ranking Democrats ask Affinity for information on foreign governments and investors it has discussed investments with since January 20, 2025, payments from sovereign funds, and measures separating Kushner's government work from fundraising, by April 2, 2026. The letter relies on a March 13, 2026 New York Times report and on Affinity's SEC filing, and it contains characterizations by the letter's authors, including that the arrangement is 'criminal' and that Kushner may be an unregistered foreign agent. Those are allegations in the letter, not findings.
Letter from Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden to Affinity Partners (March 19, 2026) · Robert GarciaPages 1-2 (opening paragraphs) and the list of requests due April 2, 2026[09]Kushner breaks pledge, seeks $5 billion more from foreign governments (Popular Information, March 16, 2026)
Source excerpt
The influx of cash, Kushner said, would allow his firm “to avoid any conflicts” and ensure “we don’t have to raise capital for the next four years.”
A newsletter from journalist Judd Legum, which describes itself as independent and takes critical positions on the Trump administration, summarizing The New York Times's March 13, 2026 report that Kushner was seeking $5 billion or more and quoting Kushner's December 20, 2024 podcast remarks. The Times article itself was not available to us.
Garcia and Wyden write to the White House and Affinity; Affinity and the White House give statements to the Times
Claim
Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden sent letters to the White House and Affinity asking about Kushner's fundraising, his foreign contacts and whether he must file a financial disclosure report, with responses due April 2. Affinity's chief legal officer Ian Brekke told the Times the firm had early conversations about fund-raising and does not intend to take in additional capital while Kushner is volunteering for the government. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Kushner "only acts in the best interests of the American public." As of October 4, 2026, we could not locate a further public reply.
[20]Letter from Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden to Affinity Partners (March 19, 2026)
Source excerpt
It appears that while Mr. Kushner is representing the U.S. government in negotiations in the Middle East, he is simultaneously seeking to raise at least $5 billion in additional foreign capital for his private equity firm, Affinity Partners.
The two ranking Democrats ask Affinity for information on foreign governments and investors it has discussed investments with since January 20, 2025, payments from sovereign funds, and measures separating Kushner's government work from fundraising, by April 2, 2026. The letter relies on a March 13, 2026 New York Times report and on Affinity's SEC filing, and it contains characterizations by the letter's authors, including that the arrangement is 'criminal' and that Kushner may be an unregistered foreign agent. Those are allegations in the letter, not findings.
Letter from Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden to Affinity Partners (March 19, 2026) · Robert GarciaPages 1-2 (opening paragraphs) and the list of requests due April 2, 2026[21]Letter from Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Counsel David Warrington (March 19, 2026)
Source excerpt
Will the White House confirm that Mr. Kushner is required to file a public financial disclosure report within 30 days of his appointment as Special Envoy, and whether he has filed this report?
A companion letter to the White House with ten questions, due April 2, 2026, about Kushner's role and limits, his compliance with foreign-agent and ethics rules, and whether he has filed a financial disclosure report. It copies the acting director of the Office of Government Ethics. As of October 4, 2026 we could not locate a public reply from the White House.
[22]Ranking Members Robert Garcia and Ron Wyden Investigate Jared Kushner Raising Billions from Middle East Governments While Negotiating U.S. Foreign Policy
Source excerpt
We need answers if Trump’s son-in-law is profiting by selling access to influence U.S. policy to foreign investors.
The House Oversight Democrats' release announcing the two letters of March 19, 2026. It carries one quotation each from Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden and describes earlier Oversight Democrat inquiries into Kushner.
Ranking Members Robert Garcia and Ron Wyden Investigate Jared Kushner Raising Billions from Middle East Governments While Negotiating U.S. Foreign Policy · House Oversight DemocratsQuotations from Rep. Garcia and Sen. Wyden in the second and third paragraphs[19]Democrats Demand Answers on Jared Kushner's Mideast Business Dealings (The New York Times, March 19, 2026, as reposted on Rep. Robert Garcia's website)
Source excerpt
Ian Brekke, Affinity’s chief legal officer, confirmed in a statement that the firm had “early conversations” about fund-raising but “does not intend to take in any additional capital while Jared is volunteering for the government.”
The Times's report on the March 19 letters, reposted in full on the website of one of the letters' authors, Rep. Robert Garcia, under 'In the News.' We read it there because the Times page was not available to us. It carries the responses of Affinity's chief legal officer and a White House spokeswoman, and the Times's own statement that Kushner 'holds no official government role.'
Democrats Demand Answers on Jared Kushner's Mideast Business Dealings (The New York Times, March 19, 2026, as reposted on Rep. Robert Garcia's website) · The New York TimesParagraphs quoting Ian Brekke and Anna KellyAffinity files an SEC Form ADV reporting about $6.16 billion in managed assets, almost all from non-U.S. persons
Affinity Partners, filing as A Fin Management LLC, signed a Form ADV on March 22, 2026 that reports $6,160,297,411 in regulatory assets under management, of which $6,097,061,904, about 99 percent, is attributable to non-U.S. persons. The filing lists Kushner as founder and chief executive officer. It names no investors and does not trace money to individual deals.
[23]SEC Form ADV, A Fin Management LLC (Affinity Partners), annual amendment filed March 22, 2026
Source excerpt
attributable to clients who are non-United States persons? $ 6,097,061,904
Affinity's annual registration update to the SEC. It reports regulatory assets under management of $6,160,297,411 in six pooled vehicles, of which $6,097,061,904 is attributable to clients who are not U.S. persons, and lists Jared Kushner as founder and chief executive officer with the highest ownership code (75 percent or more). It lists no investors by name and ties no investor's money to any investment.
SEC Form ADV, A Fin Management LLC (Affinity Partners), annual amendment filed March 22, 2026Item 5.F (regulatory assets under management); Schedule D, Section 7.B.(1) (private fund gross asset value); Schedule A (direct owners and executive officers)Sen. Warren posts a note and video on Kushner's reported fundraising for Affinity
Reaction
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) posted a note and a video on Substack saying that Kushner is trying to raise $5 billion for his private equity firm in the middle of a war with Iran. The New York Times had reported on March 13 that he was soliciting $5 billion or more for Affinity, and Affinity said it had held early conversations about fund-raising. As of October 4, 2026, we found no filing or statement showing a closed raise of that size.
[24]Sen. Elizabeth Warren's Substack note on Jared Kushner and fundraising (March 25, 2026)
Source excerpt
our "Peace Envoy" is in the Middle East trying to raise $5 BILLION for his private equity firm
Note posted on the Substack account named Senator Elizabeth Warren, with an attached video of about 44 seconds in which Warren speaks to the camera. The statement combines the note's text and the video's spoken words.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren's Substack note on Jared Kushner and fundraising (March 25, 2026) · Elizabeth WarrenText of the note and the attached video[19]Democrats Demand Answers on Jared Kushner's Mideast Business Dealings (The New York Times, March 19, 2026, as reposted on Rep. Robert Garcia's website)
Source excerpt
Ian Brekke, Affinity’s chief legal officer, confirmed in a statement that the firm had “early conversations” about fund-raising but “does not intend to take in any additional capital while Jared is volunteering for the government.”
The Times's report on the March 19 letters, reposted in full on the website of one of the letters' authors, Rep. Robert Garcia, under 'In the News.' We read it there because the Times page was not available to us. It carries the responses of Affinity's chief legal officer and a White House spokeswoman, and the Times's own statement that Kushner 'holds no official government role.'
Democrats Demand Answers on Jared Kushner's Mideast Business Dealings (The New York Times, March 19, 2026, as reposted on Rep. Robert Garcia's website) · The New York TimesParagraphs quoting Ian Brekke and Anna Kelly
22 days between recorded events
April 2026
1 event
Raskin writes to Kushner that his two roles create a conflict of interest
Claim
Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, wrote to Kushner at Affinity Partners and asked for 15 categories of records by April 30. The letter says Affinity raised billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and often invested those funds in Israeli companies closely tied to the military and defense establishment, citing a 2024 Times article. It names no company. It is a request from the minority side and carries no compulsory process.
[02]Letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin to Jared Kushner, Founder and CEO of Affinity Partners (April 16, 2026)
Source excerpt
From the standpoint of the American people, your decision to act in these two roles—one public for the government and one private for personal profit—creates a glaring and incurable conflict of interest.
A letter from the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee to Jared Kushner at Affinity Partners, with a news release dated April 17. It asks for 15 categories of records by April 30, 2026, including communications with Saudi, Emirati, Qatari and Israeli officials and records about Affinity's investors and fund investments. It says the committee is investigating, but it is a request from the minority side and carries no compulsory process. The letter names no Israeli company; its sentence about Israeli companies closely tied to the military and defense establishment cites a 2024 New York Times article.
Letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin to Jared Kushner, Founder and CEO of Affinity Partners (April 16, 2026) · Jamie RaskinPages 1-4 (opening paragraphs and the paragraph beginning 'You even accelerated your capital fundraising'); document requests on pages 5-6
103 days between recorded events
July 2026
1 event
Affinity sells about a quarter of its Phoenix stake
Incident
Affinity sold 2.5 percent of Phoenix Financial's shares to institutional investors for NIS 1.05 billion, which Calcalist put at $343 million, and kept a 7.4 percent stake that Globes reports is still the largest single holding in the company. Calcalist reports that Affinity has recovered its entire investment in cash and still holds a stake worth more than NIS 3.3 billion.
[25]Jared Kushner firm sells 25% of Phoenix Financial stake (Globes, July 28, 2026)
Source excerpt
Affinity Partners’ stake in Phoenix Financial is now 7.4%. It remains the largest single shareholder in the company.
Globes reports that Affinity sold about a quarter of its Phoenix shares, 2.5 percent of the company, to US financial institutions through Jefferies for NIS 1.05 billion at a 4 percent discount, leaving a 7.4 percent stake worth about NIS 3.3 billion. Publication time is given by Globes in Israel time (11:11).
[11]Fidelity leads $343 million purchase of Jared Kushner's Phoenix shares (Calcalist, July 29, 2026)
Source excerpt
has sold roughly a quarter of its stake in Israel’s largest insurance company, Phoenix Financial, raising NIS 1.05 billion ($343 million).
Calcalist converts the sale to $343 million, names Fidelity as the largest of three institutional buyers, and reports that the regulator approved the 2025 increase on the condition that Affinity's voting rights would be capped at 5 percent. The voting-cap condition appears only in this report among those we read. The same article says Affinity acquired its Shlomo stake in 2025 for $110 million; the Globes and Calcalist deal reports show signing in September 2023 and closing in February 2024. Publication time is given by Calcalist in Israel time (08:58).
Fidelity leads $343 million purchase of Jared Kushner's Phoenix shares (Calcalist, July 29, 2026)Opening paragraphs and the paragraph on the regulator's approval conditions
27 days between recorded events
August 2026
1 event
Raskin says Kushner did not answer his April letter and expands the inquiry
Claim
In a second letter, Raskin wrote that Kushner had not responded to the April 16 letter and that Affinity had not responded to a May 7, 2026 email from committee staff to its chief legal officer. The letter adds a land purchase in Albania and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to the requests and sets a September 7 deadline. As of October 4, 2026, we could not locate a public reply from Kushner or Affinity.
[26]Letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin to Jared Kushner on Albania and compliance (August 24, 2026)
Source excerpt
You have not responded to that letter. And when my staff reached out to Affinity, we again received no response.
A follow-up from the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. It says Kushner did not answer the April 16 letter and that committee staff received no response to a May 7, 2026 email to Affinity's chief legal officer, Ian Brekke. It expands the requests to a land purchase in Albania and to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and sets a September 7, 2026 deadline. A news release followed on August 25.
Letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin to Jared Kushner on Albania and compliance (August 24, 2026) · Jamie RaskinPage 1 (first paragraph and footnote 2); new deadline in the closing requests
21 days between recorded events
September 2026
3 events
The New Yorker reports Kushner was discreetly raising another five billion dollars for Affinity
The New Yorker published Dexter Filkins's profile of Kushner online on September 14, 2026. It reports that earlier this year, while Kushner engaged in talks with Iran, he was also discreetly raising another five billion dollars for Affinity in the Middle East, and that new Middle East investments helped the fund grow by thirty percent in 2025, to more than six billion dollars. It also reports that White House lawyers argued his declining a salary made it impossible for his government and business interests to conflict, and says most ethics specialists see the salary as irrelevant because federal law bars government agents from participating in matters in which they have a financial stake.
[27]Jared Kushner's Dollar Diplomacy (The New Yorker, September 14, 2026)
Source excerpt
Earlier this year, as Kushner engaged in talks with Iran, he was also discreetly raising another five billion dollars for Affinity in the Middle East.
A profile of Jared Kushner by staff writer Dexter Filkins, published online September 14, 2026 and in the magazine's September 21 issue. It reports that Kushner was discreetly raising another five billion dollars for Affinity in the Middle East while he engaged in talks with Iran, that new Middle East investments helped the fund grow by thirty percent in 2025, and that Affinity has two large Israeli investments. It says White House lawyers argued that his declining a salary made it impossible for his government and business interests to conflict, and that most ethics specialists see his salary as irrelevant. It quotes unnamed sources and several named people. The profile's wording about the five billion dollars is "raising," not "raised."
Jared Kushner's Dollar Diplomacy (The New Yorker, September 14, 2026)Body text: the passages on Gulf investors, Affinity's growth in 2025, its Israeli investments, the $5 billion fundraising, and the salary argumentCREW's president tells a House subcommittee there is no public evidence Kushner has filed a disclosure statement
Claim
Donald K. Sherman, president and chief executive of CREW, submitted written testimony to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia. On Kushner, he wrote that the potential for conflicts of interest is staggering and, describing Kushner as legally required to file a public disclosure statement, that there is no publicly available evidence he has done so. As of October 4, 2026, we did not find a public financial disclosure report for Kushner.
[28]Testimony of Donald K. Sherman, CREW, to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia (September 15, 2026)
Source excerpt
The potential for conflicts of interest is staggering
Written testimony for the subcommittee's September 15, 2026 hearing on covert foreign influence operations in America. The passage on Kushner is one paragraph in a statement about foreign conflicts of interest in the Trump administration. Its footnotes cite news reports on Kushner's role and Affinity's assets, CREW's March 11 letter to the White House counsel, and a May 14 Bloomberg report.
Testimony of Donald K. Sherman, CREW, to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia (September 15, 2026) · Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in WashingtonPage 8, first paragraphReuters reports Democratic plans for investigations, with statements from Raskin and Kushner's lawyer
Reaction
Reuters reported that control of either chamber in the November 3 midterms would give Democrats subpoena power and the ability to start investigations as early as February. Raskin told Reuters that Kushner had not responded to two letters and called the deals Kushner secured with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates "an outrageous conflict of interest." Kushner's lawyer Chad Mizelle said in a statement that the allegations against Kushner "are false".
[29]Democrats to probe lucrative Trump family business deals if they win midterms (Reuters, September 28, 2026)
Source excerpt
Chad Mizelle, a lawyer for Kushner, said in a statement that allegations against him are false.
A Reuters report, published here by The Spokesman-Review, on Democratic plans for investigations of Trump family businesses if the party wins control of a chamber in the November 3, 2026 midterms. It quotes Rep. Raskin on Kushner and a statement from Kushner's lawyer Chad Mizelle. It describes Kushner as 'a US special envoy for peace but not a government employee.'
Democrats to probe lucrative Trump family business deals if they win midterms (Reuters, September 28, 2026) · ReutersParagraphs on Rep. Jamie Raskin and Chad Mizelle
October 2026
2 events
CNN reports on Affinity's stake in Phoenix Financial and Phoenix's holdings in companies that supply Israel's military
Source release
CNN's investigation reports that Affinity is Phoenix's largest shareholder, with a 7.4 percent stake worth more than $1 billion as of July, and that Phoenix holds stakes in nine companies that supply Israel's military, including at least $265 million in Elbit Systems. CNN says Affinity does not directly hold a stake in the nine companies but "does stand to reap rewards when Phoenix makes a profit", and that it found no indication Kushner's actions as a diplomat directly affected the investments reviewed. A White House spokesperson said Kushner's personal business has nothing to do with his diplomacy, and Kushner's attorney said any suggestion that his diplomatic work influenced Phoenix's investments in the companies CNN identified, or the reverse, is incorrect.
[01]How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026)
Source excerpt
CNN found no indication that Kushner’s actions as a diplomat directly affected the investments reviewed.
A CNN investigation that used Israeli financial transparency filings to trace some of Phoenix Financial's holdings, reviewed by two Israeli forensic accountants. It reports that Affinity is Phoenix's largest shareholder, that Phoenix holds stakes in Elbit Systems (at least $265 million) and eight other companies that supply Israel's military, and that Affinity holds none of the nine directly. It says the filings show only a fraction of Phoenix's holdings. The page carries two headlines, 'Jared Kushner's company has large stake in firm with Israeli military links' and the one used here. It includes statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House, a Phoenix spokesperson and CREW. CNN's holdings figures have not been independently checked by DI.
How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026) · CNNOpening paragraphs; the section beginning 'In the case of Affinity's stake in Phoenix'; statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House and CREWKushner replies on X that Phoenix is not a defense company
Reaction
Kushner posted that CNN's story and headline were deeply misleading, that Phoenix is not a defense company, that he has no role in deciding what Phoenix buys or sells, and that Affinity does not own the defense companies CNN highlighted. A CNN spokesperson told Fox News Digital that CNN stands by its reporting.
[30]Jared Kushner post on X responding to CNN's report (October 2, 2026)
Source excerpt
Phoenix is not a defense company.
Kushner's own reply, posted the day after CNN's report, to CNN's reporting on Affinity's stake in Phoenix Financial. It says Phoenix manages about $220 billion and 'the retirement savings of millions of Israelis,' that he has no role in deciding what Phoenix buys or sells, that the investment is public and dates to before Trump was re-elected and before he 'returned to public service,' and that Affinity does not own the defense companies CNN highlighted. Fox News also quotes the post.
Jared Kushner post on X responding to CNN's report (October 2, 2026) · Jared KushnerFull post[31]Jared Kushner scolds CNN over 'deeply misleading' report, says key info buried behind paywall (Fox News, October 2, 2026)
Source excerpt
A CNN spokesperson told Fox News Digital that "we stand by our reporting."
Fox News Digital's report on Kushner's October 2 post, with long quotations from it and CNN's reply that it stands by its reporting. It also repeats the statements from Kushner's attorney and a White House spokesperson that CNN published.
Jared Kushner scolds CNN over 'deeply misleading' report, says key info buried behind paywall (Fox News, October 2, 2026) · Fox NewsParagraphs quoting Kushner's post and the CNN spokesperson
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Jared Kushner's simultaneous roles as Special Envoy for Peace and chief executive of Affinity Partners, which has raised billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, create a glaring and incurable conflict of interest.
Sources (1)
- Letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin to Jared Kushner, Founder and CEO of Affinity Partners (April 16, 2026) · Jamie RaskinPages 1-4 (opening paragraphs and the paragraph beginning 'You even accelerated your capital fundraising'); document requests on pages 5-6
Disputed claim
It appears that while Jared Kushner is representing the U.S. government in negotiations in the Middle East, he is simultaneously seeking to raise at least $5 billion in additional foreign capital for Affinity Partners, which Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden say raises the potential for conflicts of interest that could threaten national security.
Sources (2)
- Letter from Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden to Affinity Partners (March 19, 2026) · Robert GarciaPages 1-2 (opening paragraphs) and the list of requests due April 2, 2026
- Ranking Members Robert Garcia and Ron Wyden Investigate Jared Kushner Raising Billions from Middle East Governments While Negotiating U.S. Foreign Policy · House Oversight DemocratsQuotations from Rep. Garcia and Sen. Wyden in the second and third paragraphs
Disputed claim
CREW says that President Trump's February 19, 2026 designation of Jared Kushner as a special envoy requires him to file a public financial disclosure report within 30 days under federal ethics rules.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Sources (2)
- CREW letter to White House Counsel David Warrington on Jared Kushner's financial disclosure (March 11, 2026) · Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in WashingtonFirst paragraph and the paragraphs on the 30-day filing rule
- 5 C.F.R. 2634.201, Reporting requirements for public financial disclosure reportsParagraph (b)(1), new entrants
Disputed claim
Affinity Partners is the largest shareholder in Phoenix Financial, which holds stakes in nine companies that supply Israel's military, including at least $265 million in Elbit Systems, though Affinity holds none of those companies directly; CNN found no indication that Kushner's actions as a diplomat directly affected the investments it reviewed.
CNN
Sources (1)
- How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026) · CNNOpening paragraphs; the section beginning 'In the case of Affinity's stake in Phoenix'; statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House and CREW
Show fewer disputed claims
Disputed claim
Jared Kushner's personal business activities have nothing to do with his diplomatic engagements, which he conducts on a volunteer basis at the President's request.
Sources (1)
- How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026) · CNNOpening paragraphs; the section beginning 'In the case of Affinity's stake in Phoenix'; statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House and CREW
Disputed claim
Phoenix is not a defense company, Jared Kushner has no role in deciding what Phoenix buys or sells, and Affinity Partners does not own the defense companies CNN highlighted.
Sources (2)
- Jared Kushner post on X responding to CNN's report (October 2, 2026) · Jared KushnerFull post
- Jared Kushner scolds CNN over 'deeply misleading' report, says key info buried behind paywall (Fox News, October 2, 2026) · Fox NewsParagraphs quoting Kushner's post and the CNN spokesperson
Response record
Responses
Latest recorded positions: 14. Dates: October 1, 2025 to October 2, 2026
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6 responses on this page
Jared KushnerDirectly involved "CNN published a deeply misleading story and headline suggesting that my diplomatic work in the Middle East somehow benefited investments in Israeli defense companies. But CNN’s own reporting says otherwise. Buried behind a paywall, it acknowledges: “CNN found no indication that Kushner’s actions as a diplomat directly affected the investments reviewed.” Phoenix is not a defense company. It is one of Israel’s largest publicly traded financial institutions, highly regulated and managing approximately $220 billion across thousands of investments. Think of Phoenix as the Israeli equivalent of Vanguard or Fidelity. It manages the retirement savings of millions of Israelis. The savers don’t choose the individual investments, and neither do I. I have no role in deciding what Phoenix buys or sells. It has performed very well for Affinity and our investors, up more than five times since our initial investment. Affinity is an SEC-registered investment firm. Our investment in Phoenix is public and dates to before President Trump was re-elected and before I returned to public service. Affinity does not own the defense companies highlighted in CNN’s story. Those facts make for a less provocative headline, but a much more accurate story. Misleading stories will not distract me from the work President Trump asked me to do: help end wars, bring people together and pursue peace. That work is too important."
Defended or excusedResponding to: Phoenix is not a defense company, Jared Kushner has no role in deciding what Phoenix buys or sells, and Affinity Partners does not own the defense companies CNN highlighted.
Read more
In an October 2, 2026 post on X, Kushner called CNN's story and headline "deeply misleading", saying CNN's own reporting found no indication his diplomatic work directly affected the investments it reviewed. He wrote that Phoenix is one of Israel's largest publicly traded financial institutions, that he has "no role in deciding what Phoenix buys or sells", that the investment "is public and dates to before President Trump was re-elected and before I returned to public service", and that Affinity does not own the defense companies highlighted in the CNN story.
Role at the time: Founder and chief executive of Affinity Partners, posting on his own X account
Before the statement
CNN's October 1 report said Affinity is Phoenix's largest shareholder and that Phoenix holds stakes in companies that supply Israel's military, including Elbit Systems. It also said CNN found no indication that Kushner's actions as a diplomat directly affected the investments reviewed.
After the statement
A CNN spokesperson told Fox News Digital that CNN stands by its reporting. The same CNN report says Kushner told Forbes in September 2025 that he keeps a very active dialogue with Phoenix, and that his attorney said the statement was accurate at the time and that his contact has since been reduced.
Jared Kushner post on X responding to CNN's report (October 2, 2026) · Jared KushnerFull postJared Kushner scolds CNN over 'deeply misleading' report, says key info buried behind paywall (Fox News, October 2, 2026) · Fox NewsParagraphs quoting Kushner's post and the CNN spokespersonHow Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026) · CNNOpening paragraphs; the section beginning 'In the case of Affinity's stake in Phoenix'; statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House and CREWWhy this label?
The reference point is the proposition that Kushner's private business through Affinity, including its Israeli investments and Gulf capital, creates a conflict of interest with his role in U.S. Middle East negotiations. Kushner disputes CNN's description of Phoenix, denies a role in its decisions and argues the investment is public and predates his return to public service, which argues the arrangement is proper, so we used Defended or excused. The closest competing labels are Challenged the characterization, which would fit if he had only disputed the "defense company" label, and Denied, which fits his statements of fact about Phoenix but not his argument that the arrangement is acceptable.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Anna Kelly "Jared Kushner’s personal business activities have nothing to do with his diplomatic engagements, which he conducts on a volunteer basis at the President’s request"
Defended or excusedResponding to: Jared Kushner's personal business activities have nothing to do with his diplomatic engagements, which he conducts on a volunteer basis at the President's request.
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In CNN's October 1, 2026 report, White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said Kushner's "personal business activities have nothing to do with his diplomatic engagements" and that he conducts them on a volunteer basis at the President's request. Kelly also cited his record in earlier diplomacy, including helping broker the Abraham Accords.
Role at the time: White House principal deputy press secretary, in a statement to CNN
Before the statement
CNN's report described Affinity's stake in Phoenix Financial and Phoenix's holdings in Israeli military suppliers, and wrote that Kushner has "skirted deeper scrutiny of this potential conflict of interest by acting as a volunteer envoy." CNN reports that a White House spokesperson called concerns about a conflict between his roles a "tired narrative that Democrats have pushed against President Trump, his family, and his administration for a decade."
After the statement
Kushner posted his own reply on October 2. As of October 4, 2026, we did not find a White House reply to the March 19 letters from Garcia and Wyden asking whether Kushner must file a financial disclosure report.
How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026) · CNNOpening paragraphs; the section beginning 'In the case of Affinity's stake in Phoenix'; statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House and CREWJared Kushner scolds CNN over 'deeply misleading' report, says key info buried behind paywall (Fox News, October 2, 2026) · Fox NewsParagraphs quoting Kushner's post and the CNN spokespersonWhy this label?
The reference point is the proposition that Kushner's private business through Affinity, including its Israeli investments and Gulf capital, creates a conflict of interest with his role in U.S. Middle East negotiations. Kelly says the business and the diplomacy have "nothing to do with" each other and points to his volunteer status and record, which argues that no conflict exists, so we used Defended or excused. The closest competing label is Denied, because she rejects the premise that the two are connected. It loses because the statement rests on the arrangement being acceptable (volunteer service at the President's request) and does not deny a specific alleged fact.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Chad Mizelle "And to date, no one — not even Jared’s critics — has identified a single applicable rule or regulation he has violated"
Defended or excusedResponding to: Jared Kushner's simultaneous roles as Special Envoy for Peace and chief executive of Affinity Partners, which has raised billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, create a glaring and incurable conflict of interest.
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In a statement quoted by Reuters on September 28, 2026, Chad Mizelle, a lawyer for Kushner, said the allegations against Kushner are false and that "to date, no one" including Kushner's critics "has identified a single applicable rule or regulation he has violated".
Role at the time: Lawyer for Jared Kushner, in a statement quoted by Reuters
Before the statement
Reuters was reporting on Democratic plans to investigate Trump family businesses if the party wins control of a chamber in the November 3 midterms. Raskin told Reuters that Kushner has not responded to two letters and called the deals Kushner secured with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates "an outrageous conflict of interest."
After the statement
Reuters describes Kushner as "a US special envoy for peace but not a government employee." As of October 4, 2026, we did not find a finding by an agency or court on whether any rule applies to him.
Democrats to probe lucrative Trump family business deals if they win midterms (Reuters, September 28, 2026) · ReutersParagraphs on Rep. Jamie Raskin and Chad MizelleWhy this label?
The reference point is the proposition that Kushner's private business through Affinity, including its Israeli investments and Gulf capital, creates a conflict of interest with his role in U.S. Middle East negotiations. Mizelle argues that no applicable rule has been shown to be violated, which defends the arrangement as compliant, so we used Defended or excused. The closest competing label is Denied, because Reuters also reports that he called the allegations false. It loses because the quoted words argue about rules and do not deny a specific alleged fact.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Affinity PartnersDirectly involved "early conversations … does not intend to take in any additional capital while Jared is volunteering for the government. … abided by all laws and regulations and will continue to do so."
Defended or excusedResponding to: It appears that while Jared Kushner is representing the U.S. government in negotiations in the Middle East, he is simultaneously seeking to raise at least $5 billion in additional foreign capital for Affinity Partners, which Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden say raises the potential for conflicts of interest that could threaten national security.
Read more
In a statement quoted by The New York Times on March 19, 2026, Ian Brekke, Affinity's chief legal officer, confirmed the firm had "early conversations" about fund-raising and said it "does not intend to take in any additional capital while Jared is volunteering for the government." He said Affinity "abided by all laws and regulations and will continue to do so." The Times also reported Brekke saying that, like most private equity firms, Affinity does not collect fees unless its investments perform well.
Role at the time: Affinity Partners, through chief legal officer Ian Brekke, in a statement to The New York Times
Before the statement
The Times reported on March 13 that Kushner had spoken with potential investors about raising $5 billion or more for Affinity. Kushner had said on a December 20, 2024 podcast, "We pre-emptively tried to avoid any conflicts, so we don't have to raise capital for the next four years."
After the statement
As of October 4, 2026, we could not locate a later public statement from Affinity on whether it has accepted new capital. Its SEC filing of March 22, 2026 reports $6.16 billion in regulatory assets under management.
Democrats Demand Answers on Jared Kushner's Mideast Business Dealings (The New York Times, March 19, 2026, as reposted on Rep. Robert Garcia's website) · The New York TimesParagraphs quoting Ian Brekke and Anna KellySEC Form ADV, A Fin Management LLC (Affinity Partners), annual amendment filed March 22, 2026Item 5.F (regulatory assets under management); Schedule D, Section 7.B.(1) (private fund gross asset value); Schedule A (direct owners and executive officers)Why this label?
The reference point is the proposition that Kushner's private business through Affinity, including its Israeli investments and Gulf capital, creates a conflict of interest with his role in U.S. Middle East negotiations. The statement says the firm has complied with all laws and will not take in new capital while Kushner volunteers, which defends the arrangement, so we used Defended or excused. The closest competing label is Mixed or conditional, because it confirms fundraising conversations took place and makes its pledge depend on Kushner "volunteering". It loses because the condition is a commitment about Affinity's own conduct and the statement as a whole defends the firm.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Jared KushnerDirectly involved "I've volunteered my time to help the President and Steve to try to make progress. But Steve nor I will be involved in awarding contracts or figuring out who does business-- you know, in Gaza after. … What people call conflicts of interests, Steve and I call experience and trusted relationships that we have throughout the world. If Steve and I didn't have these deep relationships, the deal we were able to get done, that freed these hostages would not have occurred."
Defended or excusedCase context: Does Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners conflict with his role in Middle East negotiations, as congressional Democrats and ethics groups say?
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In an extended interview with Lesley Stahl that CBS published on October 19, 2025, Kushner answered a question about whether his and Steve Witkoff's business with Gulf states blurs a line in their foreign-policy work. He said he had "volunteered my time" and that neither he nor Witkoff will be involved in awarding contracts or deciding who does business in Gaza afterward. He said, "What people call conflicts of interests, Steve and I call experience and trusted relationships that we have throughout the world."
Role at the time: Founder and chief executive of Affinity Partners, interviewed with Steve Witkoff by CBS News's Lesley Stahl
Before the statement
Lesley Stahl said to Kushner and Witkoff that they had done business with the Gulf states while negotiating, which she said had raised issues of conflict and a blurring of a line between foreign policy and financial benefit. Kushner first answered that nobody had pointed out an instance of a policy contrary to the interest of America.
After the statement
Witkoff said he had divested and receives no salary, and that he and Kushner do not think there was a conflict of interest. The interview preceded President Trump's February 2026 remarks making Kushner an envoy and the March 2026 reports of Affinity's fundraising.
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff's extended 60 Minutes interview (CBS News, October 19, 2025) · CBS NewsTranscript, exchange beginning 'Yeah, but your family is' (about six minutes into the video)Why this label?
The reference point is the proposition that Kushner's private business through Affinity, including its Israeli investments and Gulf capital, creates a conflict of interest with his role in U.S. Middle East negotiations. Kushner rejects the label and argues that his business relationships are what made the hostage deal possible, which argues the arrangement is proper, so we used Defended or excused. The closest competing label is Challenged the characterization, because he disputes what "people call" a conflict. It loses because he goes on to defend the relationships as an asset and commits not to take part in awarding Gaza contracts.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Karoline Leavitt"I think it's frankly despicable that you're trying to suggest that it's inappropriate for Jared Kushner, who is widely respected around the world and has great trust and relationships with these critical partners in these countries, to strike a 20-point comprehensive, detailed peace plan that no other administration would ever be able to achieve … Jared is donating his energy and his time to our government, to the President of the United States, to secure world peace. And that is a very noble thing."
Defended or excusedCase context: Does Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners conflict with his role in Middle East negotiations, as congressional Democrats and ethics groups say?
Read more
At a White House briefing on October 1, 2025, a reporter asked how the White House decided it was appropriate for Kushner to work on matters involving Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, countries that, the reporter said, had together given him more than $2.5 billion for his investment firm. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the suggestion "frankly despicable" and said Kushner "is donating his energy and his time to our government". She referred to the 20-point Gaza plan and to the trust Kushner has with partner countries.
Role at the time: White House press secretary at the time, answering a reporter's question at a press briefing
Before the statement
Kushner had been working with Steve Witkoff on the 20-point Gaza plan. The question put to Leavitt asked about Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia and the money the reporter said they had given Kushner's investment firm.
After the statement
The Guardian reported on October 19, 2025 that Leavitt said this at a briefing earlier that month. The White House's later statements say Kushner conducts his diplomatic engagements on a volunteer basis.
The Bulwark post of a clip of Karoline Leavitt's White House briefing answer on Jared Kushner (October 1, 2025) · The BulwarkVideo, 1 minute 17 seconds, from the question to the end of the answerThe 'enormous conflict of interest' at centre of Jared Kushner's Gaza ceasefire deal (The Guardian, October 19, 2025) · The GuardianParagraph quoting White House spokesperson Karoline LeavittWhy this label?
The reference point is the proposition that Kushner's private business through Affinity, including its Israeli investments and Gulf capital, creates a conflict of interest with his role in U.S. Middle East negotiations. Leavitt rejects the suggestion that it is inappropriate for Kushner to work on matters involving countries that fund his firm and says he donates his time, which argues the arrangement is proper, so we used Defended or excused. The closest competing label is Challenged the characterization. It loses because she defends the work itself and goes beyond disputing a description of it.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(35)
Original text
Letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin to Jared Kushner, Founder and CEO of Affinity Partners (April 16, 2026)
Relevant passage: Pages 1-4 (opening paragraphs and the paragraph beginning 'You even accelerated your capital fundraising'); document requests on pages 5-6
Excerpt
"From the standpoint of the American people, your decision to act in these two roles—one public for the government and one private for personal profit—creates a glaring and incurable conflict of interest."
About this source
A letter from the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee to Jared Kushner at Affinity Partners, with a news release dated April 17. It asks for 15 categories of records by April 30, 2026, including communications with Saudi, Emirati, Qatari and Israeli officials and records about Affinity's investors and fund investments. It says the committee is investigating, but it is a request from the minority side and carries no compulsory process. The letter names no Israeli company; its sentence about Israeli companies closely tied to the military and defense establishment cites a 2024 New York Times article.
- Author
- Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member, House Committee on the Judiciary
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Sen. Elizabeth Warren's Substack note on Jared Kushner and fundraising (March 25, 2026)
Relevant passage: Text of the note and the attached video
Excerpt
"our "Peace Envoy" is in the Middle East trying to raise $5 BILLION for his private equity firm"
About this source
Note posted on the Substack account named Senator Elizabeth Warren, with an attached video of about 44 seconds in which Warren speaks to the camera. The statement combines the note's text and the video's spoken words.
- Author
- Elizabeth Warren
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Democracy Defenders Fund Demands Investigation into Appointment of Jared Kushner as Special Envoy for Peace (March 3, 2026)
Relevant passage: First and second paragraphs
Excerpt
"creates grave and unprecedented conflicts of interest"
About this source
Release announcing the letter to the State Department Office of Inspector General. It says the complaint alleges the appointment likely violates the anti-nepotism statute and creates grave and unprecedented conflicts of interest, and it quotes DDF's Chief Counsel and Director of Ethics and Anti-Corruption, Virginia Canter, and senior ethics counsel, Christopher Swartz.
- Author
- Democracy Defenders Fund
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Democracy Defenders Fund letter to the State Department Office of Inspector General on Jared Kushner's appointment (March 3, 2026)
Relevant passage: Pages 1 to 2, second paragraph, and page 8, conclusion
Excerpt
"creates insurmountable conflicts of interest"
About this source
Eight-page letter dated March 3, 2026, addressed to the State Department's Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Inspector General and copied to the White House and State Department ethics officials and the Office of Government Ethics. It asks for an investigation of Kushner's appointment as Special Envoy for Peace and his activities in that role, and it also argues that the appointment implicates the anti-nepotism statute and the Foreign Emoluments Clause.
- Author
- Norman L. Eisen, Virginia Canter and Christopher Swartz
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Testimony of Donald K. Sherman, CREW, to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia (September 15, 2026)
Relevant passage: Page 8, first paragraph
Excerpt
"The potential for conflicts of interest is staggering"
About this source
Written testimony for the subcommittee's September 15, 2026 hearing on covert foreign influence operations in America. The passage on Kushner is one paragraph in a statement about foreign conflicts of interest in the Trump administration. Its footnotes cite news reports on Kushner's role and Affinity's assets, CREW's March 11 letter to the White House counsel, and a May 14 Bloomberg report.
- Author
- Donald K. Sherman
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Jared Kushner's Dollar Diplomacy (The New Yorker, September 14, 2026)
Relevant passage: Body text: the passages on Gulf investors, Affinity's growth in 2025, its Israeli investments, the $5 billion fundraising, and the salary argument
Excerpt
"Earlier this year, as Kushner engaged in talks with Iran, he was also discreetly raising another five billion dollars for Affinity in the Middle East."
About this source
A profile of Jared Kushner by staff writer Dexter Filkins, published online September 14, 2026 and in the magazine's September 21 issue. It reports that Kushner was discreetly raising another five billion dollars for Affinity in the Middle East while he engaged in talks with Iran, that new Middle East investments helped the fund grow by thirty percent in 2025, and that Affinity has two large Israeli investments. It says White House lawyers argued that his declining a salary made it impossible for his government and business interests to conflict, and that most ethics specialists see his salary as irrelevant. It quotes unnamed sources and several named people. The profile's wording about the five billion dollars is "raising," not "raised."
- Author
- Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Fidelity leads $343 million purchase of Jared Kushner's Phoenix shares (Calcalist, July 29, 2026)
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs and the paragraph on the regulator's approval conditions
Excerpt
"has sold roughly a quarter of its stake in Israel’s largest insurance company, Phoenix Financial, raising NIS 1.05 billion ($343 million)."
About this source
Calcalist converts the sale to $343 million, names Fidelity as the largest of three institutional buyers, and reports that the regulator approved the 2025 increase on the condition that Affinity's voting rights would be capped at 5 percent. The voting-cap condition appears only in this report among those we read. The same article says Affinity acquired its Shlomo stake in 2025 for $110 million; the Globes and Calcalist deal reports show signing in September 2023 and closing in February 2024. Publication time is given by Calcalist in Israel time (08:58).
- Author
- Golan Hazani, Calcalist
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Jared Kushner firm sells 25% of Phoenix Financial stake (Globes, July 28, 2026)
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs
Excerpt
"Affinity Partners’ stake in Phoenix Financial is now 7.4%. It remains the largest single shareholder in the company."
About this source
Globes reports that Affinity sold about a quarter of its Phoenix shares, 2.5 percent of the company, to US financial institutions through Jefferies for NIS 1.05 billion at a 4 percent discount, leaving a 7.4 percent stake worth about NIS 3.3 billion. Publication time is given by Globes in Israel time (11:11).
- Author
- Eitan Gerstenfeld, Globes
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Jared Kushner becomes biggest shareholder in Phoenix (Globes, January 15, 2025)
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs
Excerpt
"With receipt of the approval, Affinity Fund’s holdings in Phoenix, Israel’s biggest insurance and financial company, have risen to 9.9%, making it the biggest shareholder in Phoenix."
About this source
Globes reports that Israel's Capital Market, Insurance and Savings Authority approved Affinity's exercise of an option for a second 4.95 percent of Phoenix Financial on the last day before the option expired, and that the regulator was expected to impose restrictions because the fund is a 'Saudi fund' financed mainly from Gulf countries. It says Affinity bought its first 4.95 percent in July 2024 for about NIS 470 million. Publication time is given by Globes in Israel time (14:18).
- Author
- Netanel Ariel, Globes
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
As Kushner's Investment Firm Steps Out, the Potential Conflicts Are Growing (The New York Times, April 9, 2024, syndicated copy)
Relevant passage: Paragraph on the Shlomo Group stake
Excerpt
"Shmeltzer Holdings, the parent company of the Shlomo Group, is also a part owner of Israel Shipyards, the country’s only domestic shipbuilder for the Israeli navy."
About this source
A syndicated copy of The New York Times's April 2024 report, which the Raskin letter of April 16, 2026 cites in a footnote. It says Kushner took a 15 percent stake in the Shlomo Group's car and credit unit and that its parent company is part owner of Israel Shipyards. The Globes and Calcalist reports we read say the new company holds only the automotive division. The copy is dated April 22, 2024 on the host site; the Times's original is dated April 9.
- Author
- Eric Lipton, Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman, The New York Times (syndicated copy)
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners investing $110M to acquire 15% of Shlomo Group's auto and credit operations (Calcalist, February 1, 2024)
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs and the paragraph on the new company's holdings
Excerpt
"Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners has completed a deal to acquire 15% of Shlomo Group’s automotive and credit company for $110 million."
About this source
Calcalist, an Israeli business outlet, puts the completed price at $110 million, down from about $150 million at signing, after the valuation fell from NIS 3.8 billion to NIS 2.7 billion. It says the new company will for now hold only shares tied to Shlomo's automotive division. CNN gives the price as $150 million. Publication time is given by Calcalist in Israel time (11:10).
- Author
- Golan Hazani, Calcalist
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Kushner's Affinity Partners buys 15% Shlomo Group stake (Globes, February 1, 2024)
Relevant passage: Third paragraph and the paragraph on the terms of the agreement
Excerpt
"Under the terms of the agreement, the new company will only own the companies that belong to the automobile division of the Shlomo Group"
About this source
Globes reports completion of Affinity's 15 percent investment in the Shlomo vehicle and credit company at a valuation of NIS 2.7 billion, and says the new company will own only the Shlomo Group's automobile division. Publication time is given by Globes in Israel time (11:23).
- Author
- Boaz Bin-Nun, Globes
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Jared Kushner to invest NIS 570m in Shlomo Group (Globes, September 6, 2023)
Relevant passage: Third to fifth paragraphs
Excerpt
"Under the terms of the agreement, a new subsidiary will be set up, which will incorporate joint activities (85% Shlomo Group and 15% Affinity)in leasing, rental, sales and credit."
About this source
Globes, an Israeli business daily, reports Shlomo Group's filing of an agreement for Affinity Partners to take 15 percent of a new subsidiary for its car rental, leasing, sales and credit activities, at a valuation of NIS 3.8 billion, with the stake capped at 18 percent by an adjustment mechanism. It calls this Affinity's first investment in an Israeli company and says Saudi Arabia 'has granted approval' for it, without naming a source for that statement. Publication time is given by Globes in Israel time (14:53).
- Author
- Oren Herschlag, Globes
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Kushner's Affinity raises new capital from QIA and Lunate (AGBI, December 22, 2024)
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting Kushner's remarks on the podcast 'Invest Like the Best'
Excerpt
"We pre-emptively tried to avoid any conflicts, so we don’t have to raise capital for the next four years."
About this source
A report on Kushner's December 20, 2024 appearance on the podcast 'Invest Like the Best.' It says Affinity raised $1.5 billion from the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi's Lunate, quotes Kushner on avoiding conflicts and on not needing to raise capital for four years, and quotes him saying he told investors they 'should not expect anything' from him if Trump were elected.
- Author
- Pramod Kumar, AGBI
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Kushner breaks pledge, seeks $5 billion more from foreign governments (Popular Information, March 16, 2026)
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs
Excerpt
"The influx of cash, Kushner said, would allow his firm “to avoid any conflicts” and ensure “we don’t have to raise capital for the next four years.”"
About this source
A newsletter from journalist Judd Legum, which describes itself as independent and takes critical positions on the Trump administration, summarizing The New York Times's March 13, 2026 report that Kushner was seeking $5 billion or more and quoting Kushner's December 20, 2024 podcast remarks. The Times article itself was not available to us.
- Author
- Judd Legum, Popular Information
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Democrats Demand Answers on Jared Kushner's Mideast Business Dealings (The New York Times, March 19, 2026, as reposted on Rep. Robert Garcia's website)
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting Ian Brekke and Anna Kelly
Excerpt
"Ian Brekke, Affinity’s chief legal officer, confirmed in a statement that the firm had “early conversations” about fund-raising but “does not intend to take in any additional capital while Jared is volunteering for the government.”"
About this source
The Times's report on the March 19 letters, reposted in full on the website of one of the letters' authors, Rep. Robert Garcia, under 'In the News.' We read it there because the Times page was not available to us. It carries the responses of Affinity's chief legal officer and a White House spokeswoman, and the Times's own statement that Kushner 'holds no official government role.'
- Author
- The New York Times (reposted by the office of Rep. Robert Garcia)
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Democrats to probe lucrative Trump family business deals if they win midterms (Reuters, September 28, 2026)
Relevant passage: Paragraphs on Rep. Jamie Raskin and Chad Mizelle
Excerpt
"Chad Mizelle, a lawyer for Kushner, said in a statement that allegations against him are false."
About this source
A Reuters report, published here by The Spokesman-Review, on Democratic plans for investigations of Trump family businesses if the party wins control of a chamber in the November 3, 2026 midterms. It quotes Rep. Raskin on Kushner and a statement from Kushner's lawyer Chad Mizelle. It describes Kushner as 'a US special envoy for peace but not a government employee.'
- Author
- Alexandra Ulmer and Richard Cowan, Reuters (as published by The Spokesman-Review)
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Jared Kushner scolds CNN over 'deeply misleading' report, says key info buried behind paywall (Fox News, October 2, 2026)
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting Kushner's post and the CNN spokesperson
Excerpt
"A CNN spokesperson told Fox News Digital that "we stand by our reporting.""
About this source
Fox News Digital's report on Kushner's October 2 post, with long quotations from it and CNN's reply that it stands by its reporting. It also repeats the statements from Kushner's attorney and a White House spokesperson that CNN published.
- Author
- Brian Flood, Fox News Digital
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
How Jared Kushner's firm's investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest (CNN, October 1, 2026)
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs; the section beginning 'In the case of Affinity's stake in Phoenix'; statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House and CREW
Excerpt
"CNN found no indication that Kushner’s actions as a diplomat directly affected the investments reviewed."
About this source
A CNN investigation that used Israeli financial transparency filings to trace some of Phoenix Financial's holdings, reviewed by two Israeli forensic accountants. It reports that Affinity is Phoenix's largest shareholder, that Phoenix holds stakes in Elbit Systems (at least $265 million) and eight other companies that supply Israel's military, and that Affinity holds none of the nine directly. It says the filings show only a fraction of Phoenix's holdings. The page carries two headlines, 'Jared Kushner's company has large stake in firm with Israeli military links' and the one used here. It includes statements from Kushner's attorney, the White House, a Phoenix spokesperson and CREW. CNN's holdings figures have not been independently checked by DI.
- Author
- Allegra Goodwin, Katie Polglase and Majlie de Puy Kamp, CNN
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
New Billionaire Jared Kushner Is Mired in Conflicts of Interest as "Peace Envoy" (Truthout, June 12, 2026)
Relevant passage: Quotation from Jeff Hauser, about two-thirds of the way down
Excerpt
"There’s an enormous conflict of interest when you have somebody who had never been a money manager like this before, and who is all of a sudden building massive funds based off a handful of foreign investors with an interest in buttering up the Trump administration"
About this source
An article in the news outlet Truthout on Kushner's business and diplomacy, with quotations from Jeff Hauser of the Revolving Door Project. The headline and framing are the outlet's; the quotation is attributed to Hauser, who spoke to Truthout.
- Author
- Derek Seidman, Truthout
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
The 'enormous conflict of interest' at centre of Jared Kushner's Gaza ceasefire deal (The Guardian, October 19, 2025)
Relevant passage: Paragraph quoting White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt
Excerpt
"Jared is donating his energy and his time to our government, to the president of the United States, to secure world peace, and that is a very noble thing."
About this source
A Guardian feature on Kushner's role in the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire and his business ties. It quotes Leavitt's answer at a briefing 'earlier this month' and quotes Matt Duss of the Center for International Policy saying there is 'an enormous conflict of interest.'
- Author
- Andrew Roth, The Guardian
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
The Bulwark post of a clip of Karoline Leavitt's White House briefing answer on Jared Kushner (October 1, 2025)
Excerpt
"I think it’s frankly despicable that you’re trying to suggest that it’s inappropriate."
About this source
A 77-second clip of a White House press briefing posted on October 1, 2025. A reporter asks how the White House decided it is appropriate for Jared Kushner to work on matters involving Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, 'three countries that combined have given him more than $2.5 billion for his investment firm,' and press secretary Karoline Leavitt answers. Leavitt's answer refers to the 20-point Gaza plan and does not mention Affinity Partners. The full briefing transcript was not available to us, so the quotation comes from the clip. The linked archived copy captures only the page shell, not the clip's words, which were checked against the live post and its video.
- Author
- The Bulwark
- Published
- Accessed
Interview
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff's extended 60 Minutes interview (CBS News, October 19, 2025)
Relevant passage: Transcript, exchange beginning 'Yeah, but your family is' (about six minutes into the video)
Excerpt
"What people call conflicts of interests, Steve and I call experience and trusted relationships that we have throughout the world."
About this source
CBS News's video and transcript of the extended version of the interview that was broadcast on 60 Minutes on October 19, 2025. In it Lesley Stahl asks Kushner and Steve Witkoff about perceptions of conflicts of interest from their business ties. Witkoff says he has divested and receives no salary; Kushner says he has volunteered his time and that neither he nor Witkoff will be involved in awarding contracts or deciding who does business in Gaza afterward.
- Author
- Lesley Stahl, CBS News
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Jared Kushner post on X responding to CNN's report (October 2, 2026)
Excerpt
"Phoenix is not a defense company."
About this source
Kushner's own reply, posted the day after CNN's report, to CNN's reporting on Affinity's stake in Phoenix Financial. It says Phoenix manages about $220 billion and 'the retirement savings of millions of Israelis,' that he has no role in deciding what Phoenix buys or sells, that the investment is public and dates to before Trump was re-elected and before he 'returned to public service,' and that Affinity does not own the defense companies CNN highlighted. Fox News also quotes the post.
- Author
- Jared Kushner
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
5 C.F.R. 2634.201, Reporting requirements for public financial disclosure reports
Relevant passage: Paragraph (b)(1), new entrants
Excerpt
"Within 30 days of assuming a public filer position or office described in § 2634.202, an individual must file a public financial disclosure report"
About this source
The Office of Government Ethics regulation that requires a new public filer to file a public financial disclosure report within 30 days. CREW and the lawmakers who wrote on March 19, 2026 rely on it; whether Jared Kushner holds a covered position is disputed.
- Author
- Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (text of the Code of Federal Regulations)
- Accessed
Original text
Remarks at the Inaugural Meeting of the Board of Peace, Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents (February 19, 2026)
Relevant passage: Page 8 of the PDF (President Trump's remarks about Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner) and the note on page 16 identifying 'U.S. Special Envoy for Peace Jared C. Kushner'
Excerpt
"And we're making Jared an Envoy also—Envoy of Peace. They're both envoys of peace."
About this source
The official record of President Trump's remarks at the Board of Peace's inaugural meeting. The remarks say 'we're making Jared an Envoy also'; the record's notes identify him as U.S. Special Envoy for Peace Jared C. Kushner. We did not find an appointment document. The White House's later description is that Kushner conducts his diplomatic engagements on a volunteer basis.
- Author
- Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
White House statement on President Trump's comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict (January 16, 2026)
Relevant passage: Paragraphs listing the Board of Peace founding Executive Board and the Gaza Executive Board
Excerpt
"Each Executive Board member will oversee a defined portfolio critical to Gaza’s stabilization and long-term success"
About this source
The White House statement naming the Board of Peace's founding Executive Board, which includes Jared Kushner without a title, and a Gaza Executive Board on which he also sits. It says each Executive Board member will oversee a defined portfolio and lists subject areas that include governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding and capital mobilization, without saying which member holds which.
- Author
- The White House
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
SEC Form ADV, A Fin Management LLC (Affinity Partners), annual amendment filed March 22, 2026
Relevant passage: Item 5.F (regulatory assets under management); Schedule D, Section 7.B.(1) (private fund gross asset value); Schedule A (direct owners and executive officers)
Excerpt
"attributable to clients who are non-United States persons? $ 6,097,061,904"
About this source
Affinity's annual registration update to the SEC. It reports regulatory assets under management of $6,160,297,411 in six pooled vehicles, of which $6,097,061,904 is attributable to clients who are not U.S. persons, and lists Jared Kushner as founder and chief executive officer with the highest ownership code (75 percent or more). It lists no investors by name and ties no investor's money to any investment.
- Author
- A Fin Management LLC, signed by Ian Brekke, Chief Legal Officer
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Letter from Sen. Ron Wyden to Affinity Partners chief legal officer Chad Mizelle (September 24, 2024)
Relevant passage: Page 1, second paragraph
Excerpt
"Affinity indicated that the Saudi government’s Public Investment Fund (“the Saudi PIF”) is paying your company tens of millions of dollars in annual management fees, specifically a 1.25 percent fee on the $2 billion in funds committed to Affinity from June 2021 through August 2026."
About this source
Wyden's letter reports what Affinity told Finance Committee staff about its foreign investors: about $3 billion committed, $2 billion from the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the rest from five other foreign investors, including sovereign wealth funds of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, with a five-year investment period ending in August 2026. The letter also states Wyden's own view that the arrangements create conflicts of interest.
- Author
- Sen. Ron Wyden, then Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
CREW statement on Jared Kushner's role as special peace envoy (February 20, 2026)
Relevant passage: Quoted statement from CREW President Donald K. Sherman, second and third paragraphs
Excerpt
"Kushner should also proactively divest from his firm, Affinity Partners."
About this source
CREW's release the day after President Trump's February 19 remarks. It says the designation formalizes a role Kushner had been playing and will likely require a financial disclosure report, and it quotes CREW's president calling for Senate advice and consent, divestment from Affinity Partners and a security clearance.
- Author
- Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
CREW letter to White House Counsel David Warrington on Jared Kushner's financial disclosure (March 11, 2026)
Relevant passage: First paragraph and the paragraphs on the 30-day filing rule
Excerpt
"respectfully urges your office to collect and review Mr. Kushner’s public financial disclosure report as soon as possible within the statutorily mandated timeframe of 30 days."
About this source
A letter from the ethics group CREW to the White House counsel, copied to the Office of Government Ethics, arguing that Kushner's February 19, 2026 designation as a special envoy triggers the federal rule requiring a public financial disclosure report within 30 days. The White House's position, given to CNN on October 1, is that Kushner conducts his diplomacy on a volunteer basis. As of October 4, 2026 we could not locate a public reply to the letter.
- Author
- Donald K. Sherman, President, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Ranking Members Robert Garcia and Ron Wyden Investigate Jared Kushner Raising Billions from Middle East Governments While Negotiating U.S. Foreign Policy
Relevant passage: Quotations from Rep. Garcia and Sen. Wyden in the second and third paragraphs
Excerpt
"We need answers if Trump’s son-in-law is profiting by selling access to influence U.S. policy to foreign investors."
About this source
The House Oversight Democrats' release announcing the two letters of March 19, 2026. It carries one quotation each from Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden and describes earlier Oversight Democrat inquiries into Kushner.
- Author
- House Oversight Democrats
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Letter from Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Counsel David Warrington (March 19, 2026)
Relevant passage: Page 4, question 8
Excerpt
"Will the White House confirm that Mr. Kushner is required to file a public financial disclosure report within 30 days of his appointment as Special Envoy, and whether he has filed this report?"
About this source
A companion letter to the White House with ten questions, due April 2, 2026, about Kushner's role and limits, his compliance with foreign-agent and ethics rules, and whether he has filed a financial disclosure report. It copies the acting director of the Office of Government Ethics. As of October 4, 2026 we could not locate a public reply from the White House.
- Author
- Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Letter from Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden to Affinity Partners (March 19, 2026)
Relevant passage: Pages 1-2 (opening paragraphs) and the list of requests due April 2, 2026
Excerpt
"It appears that while Mr. Kushner is representing the U.S. government in negotiations in the Middle East, he is simultaneously seeking to raise at least $5 billion in additional foreign capital for his private equity firm, Affinity Partners."
About this source
The two ranking Democrats ask Affinity for information on foreign governments and investors it has discussed investments with since January 20, 2025, payments from sovereign funds, and measures separating Kushner's government work from fundraising, by April 2, 2026. The letter relies on a March 13, 2026 New York Times report and on Affinity's SEC filing, and it contains characterizations by the letter's authors, including that the arrangement is 'criminal' and that Kushner may be an unregistered foreign agent. Those are allegations in the letter, not findings.
- Author
- Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Sen. Ron Wyden, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Finance
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin to Jared Kushner on Albania and compliance (August 24, 2026)
Relevant passage: Page 1 (first paragraph and footnote 2); new deadline in the closing requests
Excerpt
"You have not responded to that letter. And when my staff reached out to Affinity, we again received no response."
About this source
A follow-up from the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. It says Kushner did not answer the April 16 letter and that committee staff received no response to a May 7, 2026 email to Affinity's chief legal officer, Ian Brekke. It expands the requests to a land purchase in Albania and to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and sets a September 7, 2026 deadline. A news release followed on August 25.
- Author
- Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member, House Committee on the Judiciary
- Published
- Accessed
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Does Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners conflict with his role in Middle East negotiations, as congressional Democrats and ethics groups say?
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/does-jared-kushners-affinity-partners-conflict-with-his-role-in-middle-east-negotiations-as-congressional-democrats-and-ethics-groups-say
The Dispute Index. "Does Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners conflict with his role in Middle East negotiations, as congressional Democrats and ethics groups say?". First published: 2026-10-05. Last updated: 2026-10-05. https://disputeindex.com/cases/does-jared-kushners-affinity-partners-conflict-with-his-role-in-middle-east-negotiations-as-congressional-democrats-and-ethics-groups-say