Newsom's Memoir Exposes Trump's Harsh Words for Kushner During Ivanka Courtship
California Governor Gavin Newsom has disclosed in his new book the startling reaction of former President Donald Trump when he discovered his daughter Ivanka was dating Jared Kushner, who would later become his son-in-law. The revelation comes from Newsom's memoir, Young Man In A Hurry, which recounts a 2018 trip taken by Trump after devastating wildfires ravaged California.
Trump's Alleged Insult on Marine One
According to a review of the memoir in The Atlantic, while aboard Marine One, Trump shared a story about attempting to set Ivanka up with NFL legend Tom Brady. To his surprise, he learned she was "already dating some schmuck whose father got out of prison". This derogatory remark was directed at Jared Kushner, whose father, Charles Kushner, had been convicted of tax evasion and witness tampering in 2005.
Notably, Jared Kushner was present on the aircraft alongside Trump, Newsom, and former California Governor Jerry Brown during this exchange. Newsom writes in his book, "In front of the governor and future governor of California, Trump was making his son-in-law feel two feet tall. And Kushner just let him do it." This incident highlights the tense dynamics within Trump's inner circle, even as Kushner went on to marry Ivanka in 2009.
Kushner's Family Background and Political Connections
Charles Kushner, the father referenced in Trump's insult, received a presidential pardon from Trump towards the end of his first term. In 2024, following Trump's second electoral victory, he was announced as the U.S. ambassador to France via a Truth Social post. Despite this family history, Jared Kushner has carved out a significant, albeit unofficial, role in Trump's second administration.
Kushner has been reportedly involved in multiple Middle East negotiations, working alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff to broker peace between Israel and Hamas. His private equity firm, Affinity Partners, launched in 2021 after he left his position as senior advisor to the president, has profited billions from investments tied to geopolitical crises he now addresses informally.
Criticism and Controversy Surrounding Kushner's Role
Critics have raised eyebrows over Kushner's substantial influence in foreign policy, given his limited experience with foreign leaders and potential conflicts of interest from his overseas business ventures. The lack of an official role in Trump's second administration has not diminished his access to high-stakes diplomatic talks, sparking debates about transparency and ethics in government.
Newsom's Political Ambitions and Ongoing Feud with Trump
Meanwhile, Gavin Newsom, widely speculated to be considering a Democratic presidential run in 2028, continues to engage in regular and intense spats with Trump. Most recently, Newsom criticized Trump's State of the Union address, labeling it the "State of the Snooze" and suggesting it was boring. This ongoing rivalry adds a layer of political context to Newsom's memoir revelations, positioning him as a vocal opponent in the lead-up to future elections.
The story from Newsom's book not only sheds light on personal interactions within the Trump family but also underscores the complex interplay of politics, family ties, and public perception in American governance.
