Jared Kushner’s wealth is rapidly approaching billionaire status, thanks to his controversial private equity firm Affinity Partners, backed by Saudi investments. Kushner’s four-year stint as a senior advisor in the Trump administration helped him secure investments totaling $2 billion from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. His firm has already added an estimated $170 million to his fortune, bringing his total net worth to at least $900 million. Despite his lack of experience in the private equity sector, Kushner is confident in his ability to secure investments and build ties between Gulf investors and Israel.
Affinity Partners, based in Miami, has made significant investments in various industries in countries such as Brazil, Germany, Israel, the U.S., the U.K., and the UAE. Kushner’s focus on investing in growing companies and mispriced opportunities has enabled the firm to make strategic investments in firms like Shlomo Group and Phoenix Financial in Israel. Despite the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Kushner remains committed to pursuing investments in the region and building bridges between investors from the Gulf and Israel.
While some of Affinity’s investments have shown positive returns, others have faced challenges, such as the investment in Brazilian fast food franchise operator Zamp, which is down 44%. However, Kushner remains optimistic about the firm’s future and believes that they will deliver great returns over time. Critics have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and ethical violations, prompting Democratic lawmakers to call for an investigation into Kushner and Affinity for possible violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Kushner’s close ties to the Trump administration have raised questions about the motives behind the investments in Affinity, with some suggesting that they could be seen as a reward for Kushner’s advocacy for Gulf countries while in office. Despite facing scrutiny and criticism, Kushner remains focused on growing his firm and delivering returns for his investors. With the possibility of a Trump victory in the future, Kushner’s wealth and influence could continue to grow, as his connections with foreign investors and his track record in the Middle East give him a unique advantage in the business world.
