Jared Kushner, son-in-law and advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump, has come under scrutiny following revelations from Matthew Cole’s new book, Princes and Thieves: Jared Kushner and Mohamed bin Zayed’s Secret Plot to Remake the Middle East. The book alleges that high-profile individuals from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia granted Kushner access to bank accounts containing vast sums, notably one linked to the Israeli Central Bank.
Intelligence and Banking Connections
In an excerpt shared by Vanity Fair, Cole recounts how the Netherlands Defense Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) managed to hack Kushner’s phone. This breach unveiled that Kushner had accessed a UAE bank account that had accrued hundreds of millions from Azerbaijan-based banks since 2017. The Azerbaijani national bank is often associated with significant foreign currency transfers and alleged money laundering schemes.
One source privy to Kushner’s dealings indicated that he was seeking expedited diplomatic results. He assured UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) that he would advocate for their goals with Trump if financial contributions were made to a diplomatic fund. This fund allegedly supported his ambitions toward normalizing relations with Israel.
Finance as Leverage
According to insiders, the Emirati and Saudi elite often circulate substantial funds—sometimes upward of a billion dollars—if it aligns with their interests. This ephemeral nature of money played a crucial role in influencing U.S. foreign policy. Kushner’s team, managing these resources, could ostensibly carry out transactions, despite the account being created under the cover of the Emirati charity, Watani Al Emarat Foundation.
Cole’s narrative suggests that Kushner acted akin to a CIA director, overseeing secret foreign programs. However, he lacked the formal oversight typical for such positions, which would be held accountable by Congress and the Senate. Notably, four security officials and advisors expressed ignorance about any presidential mandate that sanctioned Kushner’s access to foreign bank accounts.
Kushner’s Defense and Legal Repercussions
Kushner’s legal team refutes these claims, asserting that he never made arrangements with foreign officials outside Trump’s purview and always acted in the United States’ best interests. His attorney denied any unauthorized engagements with the Emirati charity or the associated bank account.
The book also references additional accounts funded by MBZ, including at least a billion dollars transferred to an Israeli bank account by early 2018. According to one affiliate, these funds were strategically funneled through Cyprus for untraceable access. Expectedly, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was aware of these transactions and purportedly required Kushner to notify him before any exchanges occurred, utilizing former U.S. Ambassador David Friedman as a messenger.
Kushner vehemently dismissed the book’s allegations as wildly inaccurate, claiming he had been subjected to extensive scrutiny with no evidence supporting the accusations. He noted the absence of verifiable records, such as bank statements or transaction details, asserting that the narrative constructed in Princes and Thieves was largely fictionalized.
In conclusion, as these events unfold, the questions surrounding Kushner’s connections to foreign financial interests and how they might have influenced U.S. political dynamics remain an area of intense speculation. The legal battles ahead could provide further insight into the intricate web of international relations during his tenure in the Trump administration.