Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated that the Saudi government’s $2 billion investment in Jared Kushner’s private-equity fund will not be affected by a potential second term for former President Trump. During an interview with Fox News’s Bret Baier, bin Salman defended the government-controlled Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) investment in Kushner’s firm, which he started after leaving his position as a White House adviser.
Bin Salman emphasized that the PIF is committed to keeping its investments, regardless of whether Trump is reelected. This response came in the midst of Trump currently leading the 2024 GOP primary field. The investment, accepted by Kushner just six months after leaving office, raised concerns about possible improper connections.
When asked about the appearance of the investment, bin Salman stated that Saudi Arabia looks for investment opportunities globally and has numerous investments around the world. He downplayed any concerns of impropriety by highlighting that many prominent figures worldwide have some connection to Saudi Arabia.
Bin Salman further emphasized the global impact of Saudi Arabia, claiming that indirectly or directly, almost everyone around the world has some involvement with the country. He suggested that if the investment were to affect a hypothetical new Trump administration, it would similarly affect other presidents and individuals worldwide due to their own connections with Saudi Arabia.
This statement from bin Salman highlights both the Saudi government’s commitment to its investments and their belief that connections with Saudi Arabia are common among global figures. While some may question the appearance of the investment, bin Salman’s dismissive approach suggests that they view it as a regular business opportunity rather than impropriety.
In conclusion, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has defended the Saudi government’s investment in Jared Kushner’s private-equity fund, indicating that it will remain unaffected by a theoretical second term for former President Trump. The Saudi crown prince emphasized the commitment of the Public Investment Fund to maintain its investments and dismissed concerns about impropriety, stating that connections with Saudi Arabia are commonplace among global figures.