Kushner has returned to the political forefront, working alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump on the details of a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict.
On October 4, Kushner and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Egypt to begin negotiations in Cairo with Israeli and Hamas delegations over the release of hostages. After that stage, the pair were tasked with ensuring a “long-term peace agreement,” according to a White House official.
Eight years ago, Kushner’s presence at the negotiating table would not have raised eyebrows. During Trump’s first term, the calm and measured 44-year-old was a central member of the administration, advising the president on a wide range of policy issues and occasionally speaking at White House press briefings.
Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, moved from New York to Washington with their three young children after joining the administration. The couple, who met in 2007 at age 25 and married two years later at the Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey, quickly learned Washington’s unforgiving political culture. Once the center of New York society, they became the focus of intense public scrutiny and media criticism.
In his memoir Breaking History, Kushner reflected: “We knew we would face challenges, but we had no idea how fierce the storm would be. Nothing can prepare you for Washington — the attacks, investigations, misinformation, scandals, and even the backstabbing in the West Wing.”
It came as little surprise when the couple announced earlier this year that they would not return to the White House should Trump win another term. Ivanka explained in a podcast that “politics is a pretty dark world” and not aligned with what she wants for herself or her family. Instead of returning to Manhattan, they settled in Miami, a Republican-friendly city.
Kushner has since launched the private equity firm Affinity Partners with several former Trump officials, securing investments from countries he had worked with during his time in government, including Saudi Arabia. Last month, Forbes estimated that Kushner had officially joined the billionaire ranks.
In February 2024, Axios reporter Dan Primack asked whether Kushner’s acceptance of billions in investment from Saudi and Emirati sovereign wealth funds could make it “impossible for him to play any foreign policy role” in a future Trump administration.
“I served in government before, and I think my record speaks for itself. Now I’m a private investor,” Kushner replied.
Yet in recent months, Kushner has quietly resumed one of his old roles — serving as one of Trump’s most influential informal foreign policy advisers.
“Kushner and Witkoff met with Netanyahu twice last week, including once at the prime minister’s hotel in New York on September 28,” The Forward reported. “Their goal was to narrow the gap between Trump and Netanyahu ahead of the White House meeting on September 29.”
Kushner was also present at the White House during the Trump–Netanyahu meeting on September 29, seated beside the president’s senior advisers during the joint press briefing. Though not officially part of the administration, his proximity to power was unmistakable.
For many observers, Kushner’s involvement is controversial — but for Trump’s team, that’s precisely what makes him effective. Wealthy, well-connected, and fiercely loyal, Kushner can operate where traditional diplomats cannot.
In addition to working on the peace and hostage-release plan, Kushner recently made headlines in the business world for helping broker a $50 billion deal between U.S. gaming company Electronic Arts and Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
“Having played a pivotal role in crafting the Abraham Accords, Jared Kushner has a proven foreign policy record from President Trump’s first term,” White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said. “He’s the right choice to help deliver a historic agreement that could lead to lasting peace.”
Kushner has been deeply involved in shaping the Gaza peace effort. For months, he and former British prime minister Tony Blair have been developing a long-term postwar plan for Gaza, which was submitted to the White House in August.
“Jared is trusted by the President, respected by Vice President JD Vance, liked by Steve Witkoff, and not in competition with Secretary of State Marco Rubio,” said a source close to the Trump team. “The Israelis don’t see him as a threat, and the Saudis and Emiratis feel comfortable with him. The Palestinians may not trust him much — but at this point, they have no choice.”
Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair described Kushner as “intelligent and disciplined,” while a senior Arab source said, “When Jared shows up, it means things are actually happening.” Those close to Kushner say his most valuable skill is getting people to open up.
Working closely with Witkoff, Kushner has met with Middle Eastern officials to push forward negotiations. After an Israeli strike in Qatar sparked outrage, the pair seized the moment to pressure Tel Aviv into issuing an apology and offering concessions.
Kushner and Witkoff share much in common — both are long-time Trump confidants, both understand real estate, and both know how to navigate the president’s style.
Born into a prominent real estate family, Kushner learned from his father Charles Kushner and was reportedly the first to propose transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” a vision Trump later adopted publicly.
“Jared is smart, bold, and deeply trusted by the President,” said a former White House colleague.
Katy Balls of The Sunday Times noted that Kushner “continues to wield far greater influence than many inside the administration, even after leaving the West Wing.”