Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser, has resumed acting as a high-level peace envoy for the Trump administration while simultaneously seeking billions of dollars in new investments for his private equity firm, Affinity Partners. Despite initially pledging to avoid fundraising to prevent conflicts of interest, Kushner has approached foreign governments and investors in recent months, aiming to secure at least $5bn for his company, according to the New York Times.
Kushner, who holds no official government position, has helped broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, steered negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and played a central role in failed talks between Iran and the US over Tehran’s nuclear program. Affinity Partners was largely built with billions from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates—three authoritarian Arab states dependent on US weapons and protection.
The White House insists Kushner’s diplomatic work poses no conflict of interest, stating he “only acts in the best interests of the American public.” However, critics argue he is leveraging his influence over US policy and proximity to Trump to drum up business. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, criticized Kushner’s perceived profiteering, posting on X that a “fair and equitable deal” between the US and Iran was within reach before Kushner’s involvement.
Kushner’s firm previously secured a $2bn investment from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in 2021, despite little track record in private equity. That deal was reportedly made after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman overruled advisers. In December 2024, Kushner revealed Affinity had raised an additional $1.5bn from Qatari and UAE funds, with nearly 99% of its funding coming from foreign sources.
