Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, has been aggressively pursuing his international business ventures despite the glaring ethical concerns, potentially bordering on legality, especially considering the timing amidst his father-in-law’s presidential campaign.
A recent expose by the New York Times shed light on Kushner’s real estate dealings in the Balkan countries of Albania and Serbia, where he stands to gain substantial financial windfalls upon completion. These deals involve intricate collaborations with Richard Grenell, a figure deeply entrenched in Trump’s administration, having served as acting Director of National Intelligence and holding diplomatic roles.
Of particular concern is Kushner’s involvement in projects requiring the transfer of land owned by foreign governments, directly implicating a member of the president’s family in financial transactions with foreign entities. One such project involves transforming an Albanian island into an exclusive luxury resort, while another encompasses a vast development venture in Belgrade, Serbia, including apartments, a museum, and a luxury hotel. The third project, although not entailing direct land acquisition, involves a resort development in Albania’s southern coast.
Since departing the White House, Kushner has leveraged his political connections for personal gain. His investment firm, Affinity Partners, received a staggering $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, alongside funds from other foreign interests in the UAE and Qatar.
Kushner’s close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, cultivated during his White House tenure, raise further suspicions, especially in light of bin Salman’s alleged involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Despite these controversies, Kushner continues to forge ahead, potentially facilitated by Grenell’s connections in the Balkans, with rumors suggesting Grenell eyes the position of secretary of state under a potential Trump resurgence.
Critics, including Public Citizen president Robert Weissman, have called for a halt to Kushner’s ventures, deeming them ethically dubious, particularly amidst ongoing political campaigns. Weissman labeled Kushner’s actions as emblematic of the Trump administration’s corruption, urging restraint pending the outcome of the election.