Jared Kushner Defends Saudi Crown Prince, Calls Him “Visionary Leader”

Jared Kushner, the former White House adviser and son-in-law to Donald Trump, recently defended his business interactions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, particularly in light of the crown prince’s alleged involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to reporting by Newsweek.

During the Axios BFD summit in Miami, Kushner described the crown prince as a “visionary leader,” sidestepping concerns related to Khashoggi’s 2018 murder in Istanbul—a crime for which the CIA holds the Saudi leader responsible, contrary to Saudi leadership’s denials.

Kushner’s post-administration venture, Affinity Partners, has notably received a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), raising questions about the ethical implications of such financial ties. Despite accusations of conflict of interest, Kushner maintains that there was no wrongdoing, characterizing the Saudi investment as a badge of prestige and dismissing ethical concerns linked to the Khashoggi case. “I understand why people are upset about that… But again, our job was to represent America,” Kushner stated, emphasizing his role in fostering US interests during his tenure in the White House.

This defense comes amidst broader discussions on the appropriate boundaries of political and financial engagements with foreign leaders accused of human rights violations. Kushner’s remarks at the summit, along with his decision to distance himself from potential future White House roles, reflect his current focus on his investment firm and family life in Florida, away from the political limelight.