Jared Kushner disappears from Trump's political pack after years of being ubiquitous
As Donald Trump prepared his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference last week - and a broader and more robust plan to return to politics as a pervasive element of disruption - the absence of one person prevailed.
Notably, Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, was not on the list of advisers who worked with the former president. He is a former senior advisor and micromanager with far-reaching responsibilities. Kushner even had a virtual carte blanche. But now he has walked away, according to several people who worked closely with him in the White House or who are familiar with his thinking and who spoke with CNN under secrecy to maintain relations.
"Right now, he just got out of politics," one person argued. Which echoes the mindset of Kushner's wife, Ivanka Trump, who is so tired of the political bubble that she has recently told her friends and colleagues not to say anything related to Washington.
Following Trump's electoral defeat and his current position out of power, Kushner's absence follows a pattern. Which critics have previously noted: be present for victories and disappear for defeats. A person with close ties to Kushner told CNN that Trump's son-in-law is enjoying "much-needed time with his family." And he added that his retirement is not related to the ups and downs of the former president's popularity.
During the Trump administration, Kushner was more than willing to speak for the times that turned out good for the White House. But, also, to conveniently omit the parts of the political mess.
Back in 2017, when Trump's health plan struggled and failed, Kushner and his family were on the slopes of Aspen, Colorado. In 2018, they were on vacation in Florida amid the government shutdown. Even though the White House insisted that Kushner was actively leading the negotiations. And in 2019, when Trump was criticized for multiple issues, from background checks to comments about Jews and Democrats, the couple was spending downtime in Wyoming. Something that Trump even highlighted in a tweet with a photo of them in his break. Two incredible people. I can't believe they're not working (few work harder)! ”He wrote in the message.
A Trump spokeswoman did not give an official response to CNN's request for comment.
However, it is unclear who is instigating this rift, at least for now. Some who have been in contact with Kushner say he got tired of his father-in-law's antics. Sources closest to Trump point out that he is angry with his son-in-law for the electoral defeat.
The same as Trump, minus one: Jared Kushner
The fact that Kushner dislikes the political appetite of his father-in-law is questionable at the moment. An indication that Kushner is again putting distance between his image and Trump's. Which also happens after the delusional flow of falsehoods that followed Election Day. And to the deadly insurrection incited by Trump on Capitol Hill on January 6.
However, several people told CNN that Kushner really, this time around, is indeed tired of Trump's rhetoric.
Kushner and Ivanka Trump left their posh Washington rental home shortly after January 20. And the last moving trucks heading to his new beachside skyscraper in Miami left 24 hours after President Joe Biden's inauguration. Another person familiar with Kushner's new chapter says he wants closure and a fresh start. One that doesn't include advising his father-in-law every day.
However, two other people who spoke to CNN indicated that the schism was instigated by Trump. The former president has even told his inner circles that he is angry with Kushner.
Late last week, Trump convened what he believes is his strongest think tank for a meeting. The goal was to discuss his political future, but it did not include Kushner. The group analyzed the 2022 midterm elections and, more likely, a presidential race in 2024, say people who have spoken with the former president lately.
Attendees settled in Trump's private quarters at Mar-a-Lago, his club / post-White House headquarters / Palm Beach home. Among the advisers were former campaign manager Bill Stepien, adviser Jason Miller and former White House network director Dan Scavino. Also Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., and another former campaign manager, Brad Parscale. Precisely, the latter was fired by Kushner at Trump's request last summer and replaced with Stepien.
On the table was creating a large political action committee (PAC) to raise money. Also a broader discussion of who would do what as Trump determines where, when and to whom to spread his enormous influence within a fractured Republican party.
That Kushner is not present at a strategic roundtable came as a surprise to many who know of his profound involvement in all aspects of Trump's political message, and it is strange.
"That's the closest thing to a 180 degree turn you could do," said a third person, who worked inside the Trump White House with Kushner. “This was a guy who for four years did everything on behalf of President Trump. He lived by that job, "he added.
Another former White House colleague expressed surprise at Kushner's decision to retire. In that regard, he pointed out that there was nothing in the administration's affairs that Kushner did not "meddle" with.
From national politics, foreign policy, staffing, speech writing, national security, criminal justice reform, budgeting, covid-19 - Kushner was involved in everything.
"He was an 'expert' in everything," said the former colleague. And he noted that Kushner's flipping from topic to topic was often the nightmare of some senior West Wing officials.
A relationship that grew apart
But Kushner's ability, like Ivanka Trump's, to maneuver in and out of business, day after day, was partly due to their belonging to the family.
"It's not like Trump could fire his son-in-law, or give him a nickname and attack him on Twitter," said the person who worked inside the Trump White House.
As such, Kushner was able to be a chief strategist and influential voice for the then president.
That Kushner is not present at a strategic roundtable came as a surprise to many who know of his profound involvement in all aspects of Trump's political message, and it is strange.
"That's the closest thing to a 180 degree turn you could do," said a third person, who worked inside the Trump White House with Kushner. “This was a guy who for four years did everything on behalf of President Trump. He lived by that job, "he added.
Another former White House colleague expressed surprise at Kushner's decision to retire. In that regard, he pointed out that there was nothing in the administration's affairs that Kushner did not "meddle" with.
From national politics, foreign policy, staffing, speech writing, national security, criminal justice reform, budgeting, covid-19 - Kushner was involved in everything.
"He was an 'expert' in everything," said the former colleague. And he noted that Kushner's flipping from topic to topic was often the nightmare of some senior West Wing officials.
A relationship that grew apart
But Kushner's ability, like Ivanka Trump's, to maneuver in and out of business, day after day, was partly due to their belonging to the family.
"It's not like Trump could fire his son-in-law, or give him a nickname and attack him on Twitter," said the person who worked inside the Trump White House.
As such, Kushner was able to be a chief strategist and influential voice for the then president.
But it is not so much now.
Two of the people who spoke to CNN say Kushner's relationship with Trump, whether it's his son-in-law or not, has fractured since the re-election defeat.
Trump, they say, has expressed to his associates on a few occasions in recent weeks that he blames Kushner for losing.
A person who speaks to Kushner frequently strongly denies any dispute between the two men. Additionally, he noted that Kushner and Trump met for lunch Wednesday in Florida at Trump's Doral property.
However, Kushner would be a plausible substitute. Precisely, it was he who orchestrated much of the administration's response to, essentially, most things. From the economy to immigration reform. Even, ultimately, the coronavirus. Besides, who can forget Kushner's promise last April during an interview that America would be "really 'rocking' again" in July?
"We know the boss is not going to blame himself" (for losing the election), said a source about the nature of their relationship. In that sense, he highlighted Trump's habit of avoiding personal responsibility.
However, if it is Trump who is keeping Kushner at arm's length, or vice versa, one thing is clear to those who have spoken to Kushner in recent weeks: "He wants a break," said a person familiar with his thinking. But the source anticipated that after a period of reflection, and if Trump decides to launch a campaign in 2024, Kushner is likely to return to the fold as an adviser.
But, for now, Kushner is more than willing to see Trump Jr. or even Parscale take on the role of whisperer and figure loyal to Trump. Although Kushner's close collaborator said that he watches over Stepien, Parscale and Miller, and talks to them frequently.
Several of the people who spoke to CNN noted that Kushner's peripheral interests still include an ongoing focus on the Middle East. Specifically, in the negotiation of peace agreements and in helping to ensure that they take hold.
He would also like to be a part of advancing criminal justice reform, such as reviving probation in the federal prison system. Something that was removed in 1984 and Kushner thinks he deserves a new look.
"He's trying to be someone to go to on the Republican side to get a deal," said the person familiar with Kushner's potential career path.
However, in the near future, don't expect to see Kushner among the former presidential advisers volunteering for a second round.
«The drama of politics exhausted him. Eventually, Trump wears everyone down, ”the person said.
