Jared Kushner, former White House adviser to Donald Trump, defended his business dealings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a summit in Miami on Tuesday.
Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, received a reported $2 billion investment from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund controlled by Prince Mohammed after leaving the White House. The deal drew scrutiny from Democrats due to the crown prince’s implication in the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Kushner dismissed concerns about the appearance of a conflict of interest, stating that he followed every law and ethics rule. He emphasized the reputation of the sovereign wealth fund as one of the most prestigious investors globally.
Jared Kushner (Credits: Newsweek)
When asked about U.S. intelligence reports implicating Prince Mohammed in Khashoggi’s killing, Kushner expressed support for the crown prince, calling him a visionary leader and praising his transformational efforts in the region.
Kushner stood by the Trump administration’s policies, highlighting the administration’s cooperation with Saudi Arabia on issues like oil production and regional security.
He mentioned that President Biden shifted his initial stance of shunning Saudis for human rights violations to working with the crown prince on specific matters.
While acknowledging the horrific nature of Khashoggi’s killing, Kushner emphasized that his role was to represent America and push forward its interests.
Regarding his potential return to the White House if Trump wins the 2024 presidential election, Kushner stated that he is not interested. He emphasized his focus on his investment business and family life in Florida, away from the public eye.
