Donald Trump’s Middle East jaunt next week proves son-in-law Jared Kushner’s still pulling strings, despite dodging the spotlight, CNN reported.
President Trump’s hitting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to ink economic deals, with Kushner quietly steering the ship on expanding the Abraham Accords.
Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, built tight bonds with Arab leaders during the first term, making him the go-to guy for these talks. He’s not boarding Air Force One, but his WhatsApp chats with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman keep the lines hot. His role’s been under wraps until now, which is classic Kushner—working the shadows, not chasing headlines.
“When it comes to the Middle East, Jared is an expert,” a senior administration official gushed to CNN. Sounds like someone’s drinking the Kushner Kool-Aid, but his track record with the 2020 UAE-Israel deal gives him cred. The woke crowd might scoff, but results don’t lie.
Kushner’s advising Trump’s team, especially on sweet-talking Saudi leaders, though no deal’s expected to close during the trip. Face-to-face meetings are the goal, and Kushner’s coaching the playbook. Meanwhile, the Gaza war’s thrown a wrench in the region’s vibe since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks.
The Abraham Accords, a Trump-era win, are Kushner’s baby, and he’s pushing to get more Arab nations to normalize with Israel. Saudi’s Crown Prince, however, says no dice without a Palestinian statehood path and a Gaza ceasefire. Good luck with that when Israel’s gearing up for a fiercer fight post-trip, per Netanyahu’s team.
Trump’s trip is all about dollar signs—economic agreements to boost Saudi, Qatari, and UAE cash flow into America. “That is a topic of discussion,” a White House official told CNN, as if it’s not the whole point. The left might cry “capitalism bad,” but securing investments isn’t a crime.
Kushner’s also mentoring Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, who’s juggling talks with Russia and Iran too. “He’s been Witkoff’s biggest champion,” an official said, hyping Kushner’s knack for navigating Arab egos. Witkoff’s tagging along, unlike Kushner, who prefers his low-key dealmaking.
The White House sees Kushner as the golden ticket to Middle East wins, even without a formal title. He’s been spotted at Witkoff’s swearing-in and chatting with Marco Rubio, interim National Security Adviser. Clearly, Kushner’s not retired—he’s just allergic to org charts.
The Gaza ceasefire from Trump’s first term? Dead and buried. Hamas’s attacks and Israel’s response have Arab neighbors side-eyeing each other, complicating Kushner’s normalization dreams. Actions have consequences, and the region’s paying the price.
Trump’s rolling deep with a delegation including Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. “There were a lot of people who wanted to be a part of this trip,” an official bragged. No kidding—everyone wants a piece of the action.
Kushner’s post-Washington gig at Affinity Partners, backed by Gulf wealth funds, keeps him cozy with the region’s elite. His frequent calls with the Saudi Crown Prince aren’t just chit-chat—they’re strategic. The man’s playing chess while others are stuck on checkers.
“There’s a way to potentially solve that part for the Saudis,” an official said, crediting Kushner’s out-of-the-box thinking on normalization. The woke brigade might call it meddling, but in the real world, it’s called diplomacy. Kushner’s not here for applause—he’s here for results.
Witkoff’s bullish, saying, “We think we’ll have some or a lot of announcements very, very shortly.” That’s the spirit, but let’s not hold our breath with Gaza burning and Saudi playing hardball. Optimism’s great, but reality’s a tougher negotiator.
Kushner’s happy staying off the payroll, operating “behind the scenes until he has something successful,” per an official. That’s the MAGA way—get it done, no fanfare needed. While the left obsesses over optics, Kushner’s rewriting the Middle East playbook, one quiet move at a time.
