Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is reportedly trying to raise capital for his investment firm by turning to Middle East leaders after negotiating several treaties in region while working in the White House
Former President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner has reportedly been reaching out to some of the connections he built during his father-in-law's administration for investment in a new firm.
Kushner has reached out to leaders in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and other Persian Gulf states to try and get backing for Affinity Partners, Kushner's new company, according to The New York Times.
The former Director of the Office of American Innovation and senior advisor to his wife's father, Donald Trump, has purportedly not been entirely successful in his efforts, which seek to raise an amount 'in the low billions of dollars' by early next year, The Times said.
Rulers in both Qatar and the UAE have reportedly declined to invest in Affinity. However, Kushner has purportedly found interest from Saudi Arabia and the kingdom's $450 billion Public Investment Fund.
The Times reported that the Saudi PIF is currently in negotiations with Kushner over a 'sizable investment.'
Jared Kushner (pictured right), son-in-law and former senior advisor to ex-President Donald Trump, is attempting to line up Middle Eastern investment in a new firm
Kushner worked extensively in the Middle East and has interest in the firm from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, run by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (pictured right)
Kushner was crucial in organizing Trump's first international state visit to Saudi Arabia in 2017
Kushner favored the Emiratis in their feud with the Qataris during his time at the White House.
While the UAE sees Kushner as an ally, they reportedly questioned his past business acumen, which is largely limited to the time he spent in charge of his family's real estate business.
Kushner became close with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, defending the head of state when US intelligence determined he'd ordered the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi over criticism of the royal family.
He also pushed for Trump to make his first international visit to Riyadh in 2017.
Ethics experts question Kushner's attempt to raise money from officials he dealt with on behalf of the government, especially with the spectre of Trump running for president again in 2024.
'When former White House officials start cashing in their time served with our government by cozying up to monarchs, it turns the stomach a bit. Is it illegal? No,' said Nick Penniman, the founder and chief executive of good government advocates Issue One. 'Is it swampy and seemingly hypocritical? Yes.'
The Times reports that the Saudi PIF is currently in negotiations with Kushner over a 'sizable investment.
Former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin (pictured left) has also attempted to get Middle Eastern backing since leaving the White House
Kushner, seen here with wife Ivanka, President Trump, First Lady Melania and Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, was heavily involved in Middle Eastern policy during Trump's administration
Kushner's signature achievement during the Trump administration was the Abraham Accords, which opened diplomatic relations between Israel and various Arab states
Kushner's signature work in the Middle East under his father-in-law was the Abraham Accords, a series of treaties that opened diplomatic relations between Israel and various Arab states.
The former senior advisor has moved to Miami with wife Ivanka and their children since leaving the White House.
Kushner has stated no desire to get back into politics, but has attempted to build off his work in the Middle East by establishing a nonprofit called the Abraham Accords Institute for Peace.
He launched Affinity in Miami in recent months and hopes to work heavily in the Middle East, with a focus on building relationships between the Israelis and Saudis.
Kushner has begun staffing and, as CEO, will start going after investment from the United States in coming months.
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