Jared Kushner Criticizes CNN Report on Middle East Investments as 'Deeply Misleading'

Jared Kushner, a senior advisor to former President Donald Trump, has publicly criticized CNN for a report he characterized as "deeply misleading." The CNN story, published behind a paywall, suggested that Kushner's diplomatic work in the Middle East might have influenced investments made by his firm, Affinity Partners, in Israeli defense companies.

Kushner took to social media platform X to express his strong disagreement with the report's headline and implications. He pointed out that the CNN article itself, despite its framing, acknowledged a lack of evidence that his actions as a diplomat directly impacted the investments under review. This crucial detail, he argued, was buried deep within the paywalled content, inaccessible to many readers.

According to the CNN report, the outlet used Israeli financial transparency laws to trace investments made by Phoenix Financial, a Tel Aviv-based firm in which Kushner's investment group reportedly increased its stake shortly before Donald Trump's return to the Oval Office. The report stated that Phoenix has invested substantially in Elbit Systems, Israel's largest arms manufacturer, and holds stakes in at least eight other companies that supply equipment to the Israeli military. These companies, the report noted, saw their stock values climb last year, with some citing the war in Gaza as a driver of demand.

Kushner countered that Phoenix Financial is not primarily a defense company but rather a large, highly regulated Israeli financial institution managing approximately $220 billion across numerous investments, akin to U.S. firms like Vanguard or Fidelity. He asserted that he has no direct role in deciding Phoenix's specific investments, which are managed by the institution itself. Kushner stated that Affinity Partners' investment in Phoenix has performed well, increasing more than fivefold since its inception, and that the investment is public and predates his return to public service.

He emphasized that Affinity Partners does not directly own the defense companies highlighted by CNN and that the report's focus on speculative connections creates a less accurate, more provocative narrative.

A spokesperson for CNN defended the reporting, stating, "we stand by our reporting." A White House spokesperson also commented to CNN, calling the suggestion that Kushner's personal business activities are linked to his diplomatic engagements a "tired narrative that Democrats have pushed against President Trump, his family, and his administration for a decade."