Jared Kushner Rebukes CNN Over $220 Billion Phoenix Conflict Report
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 2
Jared Kushner Rebukes CNN Over $220 Billion Phoenix Conflict Report
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 2
Summary
Kushner said CNN’s headline wrongly implied his Middle East diplomacy benefited Israeli defense investments, arguing the network buried its own finding that it found no direct link.
CNN’s report traced Affinity Partners’ larger stake in Phoenix Financial, a Tel Aviv institution managing about $220 billion, to indirect exposure to Elbit Systems and at least eight other military suppliers.
Kushner said Phoenix is a broad financial institution—not a defense company—and that he has no role in choosing its holdings; he added Affinity’s investment was made before Trump’s reelection and before he returned to public service.
He said Phoenix has risen more than fivefold since Affinity’s initial investment, while CNN said the nine military-linked companies it identified all gained value last year as the Gaza war boosted demand.
CNN said it stands by its reporting, while Kushner cast the story as part of a longer pattern of distorted coverage and said it would not distract from his current peace efforts.