Jeffries and Kushner Meet Privately Amid Campaign Attacks

Hakeem Jeffries and Jared Kushner held a private meeting in New York City in recent weeks. A mutual friend provided the space, and five people with knowledge of the session described it to the New York Times.

• 3 topics discussed: housing, immigration, and the high cost of living.
• Kushner suggested Jeffries meet with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
• Jeffries and Kushner previously worked together on a criminal justice bill during Trump's first term.
• Neither man's aides would comment on the session directly.

Why it matters: The meeting's timing reflects Trump allies' awareness that Democrats may retake the House in 2026, making Jeffries Speaker.

• A Democratic House would force Jeffries to balance government funding with pressure to impeach Trump for a third time.
• Jeffries has said publicly he has "not ruled anything in and not ruled anything out" on accountability measures.

How 22 sources split on this story

Where they split: The core dispute is whether Jeffries engaging Kushner privately represents pragmatic pre-election diplomacy or unacceptable accommodation of the Trump administration.

What’s next: No formal follow-up has been announced. Kushner's suggestion of a Wiles meeting has not been confirmed by either side.

• Jeffries's statement did not confirm the meeting but said he will push for "transformational policy change" in any administration talks.
• Will Jeffries meet with Susie Wiles, and would that meeting be disclosed publicly?
• How will progressive pressure affect Jeffries's posture toward the White House if Democrats win the House?
• Does the meeting reflect a broader pattern of Trump-world outreach to Democratic leaders ahead of the midterms?