Jared Kushner, a senior advisor to Donald Trump, took to social media on Friday to criticize CNN for what he described as a “deeply misleading story and headline.” He was reacting to a report that suggested his diplomatic efforts in the Middle East may have somehow influenced investments in Israeli defense firms.
Kushner, who usually doesn’t publicly challenge the media, expressed his discontent on X regarding a CNN article titled “How Jared Kushner’s firm’s investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest,” which was published on Thursday.
The CNN piece highlighted Kushner’s role as a primary negotiator in the Gaza conflict, while noting that his company, Affinity Partners, possessed significant investments in an Israeli firm involved in the country’s military operations.
He pointed out that the report’s headline contradicted its content, which may leave readers without a subscription misinformed. “Buried behind a paywall, it acknowledges: ‘CNN found no indication that Kushner’s actions as a diplomat directly affected the investments reviewed,'” Kushner stated.
Indeed, CNN indicated it found no direct correlation between Kushner’s diplomatic role and the reviewed investments; however, this key point was somewhat buried, appearing much later in the article, accessible only to paid subscribers.
The lengthy report suggested that CNN utilized Israeli financial transparency regulations to track some military-related investments by Phoenix Financial, an Israeli firm in which Kushner’s investment firm had increased its stake shortly before Trump’s return to the presidency.
Kushner asserted that CNN did not accurately portray Phoenix, defending that it’s not simply a defense company as implied. He stressed its status as one of Israel’s largest publicly traded financial institutions, managing approximately $220 billion across a multitude of investments.
“Think of Phoenix as the Israeli equivalent of Vanguard or Fidelity,” he explained. “It manages retirement savings for millions of Israelis. The savers don’t choose the individual investments, and neither do I.” He highlighted that Affinity’s investment in Phoenix is publicly known and predates his return to public service.
He criticized the media’s choice of headline, saying the facts provided a clearer and more accurate narrative. “Misleading stories won’t deter me from the work President Trump has asked of me: to promote peace and bring people together,” he added.
In response to Kushner’s statements, a CNN spokesperson reaffirmed their support for the report.
Kushner expressed frustration at the media landscape, citing that he has often overlooked false narratives over the years. Yet, he felt compelled to respond this time, given the ongoing cycle of misinformation.
Additionally, a White House spokesperson echoed that any notion linking Kushner’s business dealings with his diplomatic responsibilities is a “tired narrative pushed by Democrats” over years.
