Jared Kushner has hit back at CNN after the network raised ethical questions about his overseas business ventures and his work in Donald Trump‘s administration.
CNN reported that Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and unpaid outside of government negotiator, could be involved in a conflict of interest due to his position overseeing the Trump administration’s efforts in Gaza while investing in Israeli firms whose financials could be impacted by such negotiations.
As an outside adviser, Kushner’s role allows him to avoid the financial scrutiny that other government workers are subjected to.
The row centers on Affinity Partners, Kushner’s private equity firm. Affinity is the largest shareholder of Phoenix Financial, a massive Israeli company worth over $100 billion that handles pensions, insurance and savings for millions.
Reviewing public Israeli records, CNN reported that Phoenix has invested hundreds of millions into Elbit Systems, Israel‘s largest military manufacturer that owns stakes in various other defense firms.
Several of these military firms have reportedly noted how the Gaza war helped their businesses.
And critics have accused Kushner of improperly profiting despite CNN stating it ‘found no indication that Kushner’s actions as a diplomat directly affected the investments reviewed.’
‘For the last 10 years, I have ignored false and misleading stories about me and focused on the work,’ Kushner, who hardly posts online, wrote in a fiery dictum.
President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner lashed out at CNN for a ‘misleading’ story linking his private equity firm to his foreign policy work
CNN’s report noted Kushner’s investment in Israeli firm Phoenix Financial, which reportedly has invested in Israeli defense companies. The report notes Kushner’s ties to Gaza peace talks and his company’s ties to Israeli weapons manufacturers
Kushner has overseen the US’s Gaza policy while also pitching projects to rebuild the strip and turn it into a tourist destination
‘But the cycle has gotten out of control where old lies get repeated as fact, new ones get added, and the record becomes increasingly distorted. So from time to time, I’m going to respond, not to every allegation.’
In a separate post taking issue with the report, he shredded the CNN article for being ‘deeply misleading’ and noted that Affinity ‘does not own the defense companies highlighted in CNN’s story.’
Kushner has skirted deeper scrutiny of this potential conflict of interest by acting as a volunteer envoy, rather than accepting a government job that would require him to disclose his finances.
Kushner’s firm first purchased a portion of Phoenix in 2024 before nearly doubling its position just before Trump was inaugurated in January 2025, CNN reports.
By July of 2025, Affinity’s holding was valued over $1 billion, and the firm sold part of their share for over $340 million, reportedly scoring the company a major profit.
In a social media post, Kushner described Phoenix more as a traditional financial firm and not a defense company.
‘Think of Phoenix as the Israeli equivalent of Vanguard or Fidelity. It manages the retirement savings of millions of Israelis. The savers don’t choose the individual investments, and neither do I.’
‘I have no role in deciding what Phoenix buys or sells. It has performed very well for Affinity and our investors, up more than five times since our initial investment,’ the president’s son-in-law added.
Democrats have vowed to target Kushner and Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff with investigations should they win the midterm elections
Serving as a negotiator for the White House, Kushner has been deeply involved in Gaza discussions since last spring. He has advised Trump on the US-Israel relationship and the future of Gaza.
Many administration officials have lauded Kushner as fundamental in landing the Israel-Gaza ceasefire last fall.
The private equity boss has also proposed plans to rebuild Gaza and make it a destination for tourists.
Democratic lawmakers have vowed to investigate Kushner and his business dealings should they take control of Congress in the midterms.
Maryland Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin has said the mix of private business and public diplomacy is ‘completely irreconcilable and unethical.’
The White House and a representative for Kushner were contacted for comment.
