Ex-Trump Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham says Jared Kushner’s ‘volunteer’ role hides his earnings, raises conflict concerns
Former Trump White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said Jared Kushner — President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and former senior White House advisor — is using his “volunteer” role in the current administration to avoid disclosing much of the money he earns while performing government work.
Kushner’s financial ties
Grisham made the claim on October 1 during a new interview following a CNN investigation into Kushner’s ties to Phoenix Financial, an Israeli company in which his investment firm, Affinity Partners, is the largest shareholder.
The network reported that Phoenix holds stakes worth at least $456 million in nine companies involved in Israel’s military operations.
“None of this surprises me,” Grisham said. “I recall back in our Trump administration, he had his hands in everything.”
Kushner’s relationship with Netanyahu
Grisham also recalled Kushner’s familiarity with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I remember he used to bring Bibi up as if it was just like an old guy he plays basketball with. He would drop his name so casually,” she said.
“Jared had a way of, you know, making it seem like he was this mover and shaker, and don’t worry, he’ll fix everything.”
The growth of Affinity Partners
Grisham then pointed to the growth of Affinity Partners since Kushner left the White House.
“After the first Trump administration, as you guys probably know, Affinity Partners was committed $2 billion from Saudi Arabia. And now I believe its assets are around $6 billion,” she said.
“Meanwhile, he’s calling himself a volunteer. I mean, that’s great volunteer work if you can get it, I guess.”
Kushner’s volunteer status
Later in the interview, Grisham argued that Kushner’s volunteer status carries financial disclosure advantages.
“I don’t mean to be glib, but the reason he’s a volunteer is because you don’t have to then claim and show a lot of the money that you make during the time as a temporary public worker,” she explained.
Kushner’s attorney said his business activities are separate from his diplomatic work for the president.
When asked whether the arrangement fit Kushner’s past claim that “what people call conflicts of interest, I call experience and trusted relationships,” Grisham said it didn’t.