In a surprising turn of events, Jared Kushner, once a key figure in President Donald Trump's first administration, has reemerged as a pivotal player in Trump's diplomatic endeavors during his second term. This development is particularly intriguing given Kushner's initial decision to step back and focus on personal business interests rather than assume a formal government role.
Nearly a year into Trump's second presidency, Kushner has been drawn back into the intricate world of foreign policy, taking on a more prominent role in delicate peace negotiations. Initially, these talks were led almost solely by Steve Witkoff, a special envoy and real estate mogul with no prior government experience.
The shift in responsibility reflects a belief within Trump's inner circle that Kushner's diplomatic experience complements Witkoff's negotiating style and can help bridge seemingly insurmountable differences to reach agreements. This was evident over the weekend when Kushner and Witkoff hosted Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev in Miami for discussions on proposals to end Russia's war in Ukraine. They also met with Turkish and Qatari officials to address the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, working towards implementing the second phase of Trump's ceasefire plan.
Kushner and Witkoff bring contrasting styles to the negotiating table. Witkoff, a long-time friend of Trump's, is seen by some within the administration as an oversized personality who travels the world for diplomatic negotiations on his private jet and publicly praises the president's foreign policy acumen. On the other hand, Kushner has complex business interests in the Middle East and a transactional approach to diplomacy that has raised concerns among some European officials.
Despite these differences, Kushner is regarded as a more credible negotiator than Witkoff, who is viewed by many Ukrainian and European officials as overly accommodating to Russian interests during the war. Ian Kelly, a retired career diplomat and former U.S. ambassador to Georgia, noted that Kushner has a track record from the first administration, but the jury is still out on his current intervention.
Trump sees Kushner as a trusted family member and talented adviser, crediting him for pivotal roles in some of his biggest foreign policy successes. White House officials and State Department spokespeople have praised Kushner's negotiating skills, with one calling him a "world-class negotiator."
However, there are concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding Kushner's role in shaping administration policies in the Middle East while managing billions of dollars in investments, including from Saudi Arabia and Qatar's sovereign wealth funds. Similarly, Witkoff has faced scrutiny for his deep business ties to Gulf nations, including a partnership with members of Trump's family to launch a cryptocurrency company that received a significant investment from a UAE-controlled wealth fund.
Kushner has defended these potential conflicts, stating that what some call conflicts of interest, he and Witkoff see as experience and trusted relationships. White House counsel David Warrington has affirmed that Kushner's efforts for Trump are in full compliance with the law.
Despite these assurances, there is skepticism among some Democrats and government oversight groups about Kushner's involvement. Additionally, there are doubts about Kushner's ability to secure a Russia-Ukraine deal, with some veterans of U.S.-Russian diplomatic encounters questioning his approach. They argue that Kushner and Witkoff seem to believe that the key to success lies in money and investment, but the Russians have different priorities and motivations.
Kushner had initially stayed out of the spotlight during the first half of the year, even as he unsuccessfully attempted to install some of his former associates into powerful roles in the new administration. However, as Trump's efforts to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza faltered, Kushner stepped in, leveraging his experience and contacts from negotiating the Abraham Accords to help push Trump's plan forward.
The 20-point plan, agreed upon in late September after intense talks surrounding the U.N. General Assembly, is still being implemented, with coordination efforts led by Kushner and his Abraham Accords team. Trump has acknowledged Kushner's role, stating, "We always bring Jared when we want to get that deal closed. We need that brain on occasion."
After finalizing the Gaza plan, Kushner expressed his intention to return to his family and day job in Miami, where he heads a multi-billion-dollar private equity firm. He emphasized that his involvement in high-stakes peacemaking was temporary, joking about the possibility of his wife changing the locks if he didn't return home soon.
However, just weeks after shepherding the Gaza ceasefire, Trump once again turned to Kushner to lead the Russia-Ukraine negotiations, which had been deadlocked for months. This move suggests that Trump continues to rely on Kushner in the most critical diplomatic situations, highlighting the unique and controversial role Kushner plays in Trump's second-term diplomacy.
