Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's former adviser and son-in-law, is defending his business dealings with the Saudi crown prince after leaving the US government.
NEW YORK — Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's former aide and son-in-law, on Tuesday parted ways with the Saudi crown prince implicated in the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. He later defended his business dealings.
Mr. Kushner worked on a wide range of issues and policies for the Trump administration, including Middle East peace efforts, and developed a relationship with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has overseen socio-economic reforms and a widespread crackdown on opposition. Kingdom.
After leaving the White House, Kushner founded a private equity firm that reportedly received $2 billion in investment from a sovereign wealth fund controlled by Prince Mohammed, drawing scrutiny from Democrats. .
Speaking Tuesday at a summit in Miami sponsored by media company Axios, Kushner said he followed all laws and ethical rules. He denied his belief that there was an alleged conflict of interest in his own business contracts.
“When my critics ask me about the work we've done in the White House, what I tell them is that not a single decision we made was in the interest of the United States,” Kushner said. It means I'm pointing at it.”
He said sovereign wealth funds are among the world's most prestigious investors, with large stakes in companies such as Uber, Nintendo and Microsoft.
He also defended Prince Mohammed when asked if he believed a U.S. intelligence report that the crown prince had approved the killing of Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist Khashoggi in 2018. . The prince denies his involvement.
“Are we really still doing this?'' Mr. Kushner first responded when asked if he believed the conclusions of U.S. intelligence agencies.
Kushner said he had not seen an intelligence report released in 2021 that concluded the crown prince likely approved the killing of Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
“I know the person I dealt with, and I think he's a visionary leader. I think what he's done in this region is transformational,” Kushner said. .
He supports the Trump administration's policies, encouraging President Joe Biden to reverse his initial stance of excluding Saudi Arabia for human rights abuses and instead work with the crown prince on issues such as oil production and Saudi security. He said it was “one of the greatest compliments.” region.
“I understand why people are upset about that,” Kushner said of Khashoggi's killing. “I think what happened there was really horrible. But again, our job was to represent America and try to move American things forward.”
Kushner has also said he has no intention of returning to the White House if Trump wins the 2024 presidential election, staying out of the public eye and focusing on his investment business and life with his family in Florida. said.
