Jared Kushner, former senior adviser to President Donald Trump, has announced plans to pursue legal action against the authors of an upcoming book alleging he profited from undisclosed foreign funds while shaping U.S. policy. The allegations, detailed in journalist Matthew Cole’s book Princes and Thieves: Jared Kushner and Mohamed bin Zayed’s Secret Plot to Remake the Middle East, claim Kushner accessed over $2 billion in slush funds from Middle Eastern leaders to influence U.S. foreign policy during his tenure in the White House.
Kushner denies all accusations, calling the claims in the book “completely insane” and “false and defamatory.” His legal team stated they intend to pursue legal action but did not specify targets. The book’s excerpts, published in Vanity Fair, allege Kushner’s involvement in lucrative backroom deals with foreign governments, including the United Arab Emirates, during his role as a key architect of Middle East policy under Trump.
The allegations also include claims that Dutch intelligence agents, after accessing a Russian spy’s phone, observed foreign operatives monitoring Kushner’s iPhone screen in 2017. According to the report, these operatives captured images of Kushner’s screen activity while he served as a senior White House adviser. The book suggests these interactions were part of a broader effort to influence U.S. policy through financial leverage.
Kushner’s legal team has not provided further details on the planned legal action but emphasized that the allegations are without merit. The book is set for release on Tuesday, with excerpts already drawing significant attention. The claims come amid ongoing scrutiny of Kushner’s diplomatic and business activities during and after his time in the Trump administration.
The book’s central thesis revolves around Kushner’s alleged coordination with Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to reshape Middle East policy in ways favorable to Gulf states. The report suggests these efforts included undisclosed financial transactions intended to secure U.S. policy outcomes. Kushner’s critics argue the allegations, if true, would represent a significant breach of ethical and legal standards for a senior U.S. government official. Supporters, however, dismiss the claims as politically motivated attacks on Kushner’s legacy.
The book’s publisher has not responded to requests for comment. Kushner’s representatives did not provide additional statements beyond the initial denial. The allegations remain unverified by independent sources at this time.