President Trump’s son-in-law – Kushner was initially denied a top-secret security clearance due to the FBI’s concerns about foreign influence, private business interests, and personal conduct.
Senior Advisor to the President
Jan. 22, 2017 –
Jared Kushner was ultimately only granted clearance after intervention by his father-in-law and the current U.S. President, Donald Trump. The son of convicted white-collar criminal Charles Kushner, Jared received his college education at Harvard – but not before his wealthy father (an alumni of New York University) pledged $2.5M to Harvard in 1998, the year Jared applied to the Ivy League school.
Jared maintains an infamously close relationship with Saudi Prince Mohammed “Bone Saw” bin Salman – who, it bears reminding, is the man who ordered the assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, resulting in his live-dismemberment in a Saudi Arabian consulate in Turkey in 2018).
Estimated net worth (2019): $800,000,000 – $1,100,000,000
Notables
- FBI initially denied Kushner a top-secret security clearance over foreign influence, private business interests and personal conduct concerns. Trump had to order then-chief of staff, John Kelly, to grant Kushner top-secret clearance against the judgement of career officials.
Kushner; senior White House official whose security clearance was denied | Washington Post (4.3.19)
- Despite a net worth around $1,000,000,000, Jared Kushner has gone several years without having to pay any Federal income tax.
Kushner Paid No Federal Income Tax for Years | New York Times (10.13.18)
- Jared’s father, Charles Kushner, pledged $2,500,000 to Harvard where Jared (whose academics and test scores were not on par with Ivy League Standards) applied – and was accepted, to the surprise of officials at his high school. Also donate nearly $1,000,000 to a Massachusetts senator who was well connected to Harvard admission officials.
As Trump aims at affirmative action, let’s remember how Jared Kushner got into Harvard | Vox (7.6.18)
- Was present for the secretive Trump Tower meeting in 2016 with Russian ambassador.
The Trump Tower meeting at the center of the Russia investigation, explained | Vox (5.16.18)
- Has had to update his disclosure form at least 40 times for neglecting to include investments and potential conflicts of interest.
Whoops! Kushner Made Even More Mistakes in His Federal Filings | ProPublica (5.3.18)
- After Saudi prince Mohammed bin Salman’s power grab for the throne, Kushner may have provided him the names of royal family members opposed to him, information Kushner reportedly acquired from access to the President’s Daily Brief. Shortly after a visit from Kushner, the crown prince MBS arrested dozens of Saudi royals, detaining them in Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton and subjecting some to torture, including one to death.
Saudi Crown Prince Boasted That Jared Kushner Was “In His Pocket” | The Intercept (3.21.18)
- When Kushner Companies was of seeking loans, Jared Kushner met with the executives of two major investment banks in the White House. Shortly after, Kushner Co. was granted over $500M in loans from the same investment banks.
Kushner’s Family Business Received Loans After White House Meetings | New York Times (2.28.18)
- Kushner suggested to Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak that a secret communications channel be establish between the Trump and Russian officials.
Russian ambassador says Kushner wanted secret back channel with Kremlin | Washington Post (5.26.17)
- Kushner Co. currently being sued for alleged mismanaging of apartment complexes it owns in Baltimore, as well as in New York for overcharging on rent.
Jared Kushner’s Other Real Estate Empire in Baltimore | New York Times (5.23.17)
- Hid business ties to Soros, Peter Thiel, Goldman Sachs, and over $1B in outstanding loans from his disclosure forms.
Kushner didn’t disclose ties to Goldman Sachs, or that he owes $1B in loans | Business Insider (5.2.17)
Ivanka & Jared | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (4.23.17)
Image credit: Gage Skidmore