Has Jared Kushner been investigated yet for getting paid $2B from Saudi Arabia’s crown prince?
The question of whether Jared Kushner has been formally investigated for the $2 billion investment he received from Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), remains a point of growing public interest and political debate. The deal, which was first revealed in 2022, has sparked widespread scrutiny due to Kushner’s close relationship with MBS during his tenure as a senior advisor to former President Donald Trump, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest, ethical breaches, and even national security risks. Despite the magnitude of the issue and calls for inquiries, there has yet to be a clear answer as to whether a formal investigation is underway or if one will ever materialize.
The controversial $2 billion investment came from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) just six months after Kushner left the White House. The money was directed into Kushner’s newly formed private equity firm, Affinity Partners, which had no prior track record or experience managing such large-scale investments. According to reports from The New York Times and other major outlets, even advisors to the Saudi sovereign wealth fund were skeptical of the deal, citing concerns about the firm’s inexperience. However, MBS reportedly overruled them, approving the massive transaction personally.
This series of events led to immediate backlash from ethics experts and political figures who viewed the deal as deeply problematic. Many argued that it reflected the classic case of influence peddling — where a public official uses their government position to gain favor or financial benefit after leaving office. Kushner, who played a central role in shaping U.S.-Middle East policy, was instrumental in forging close ties between the Trump administration and the Saudi royal family. He also defended MBS in the wake of the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which U.S. intelligence agencies concluded was likely ordered by the crown prince himself.
Critics say the investment may be a direct payoff for political loyalty or a return on access. Some lawmakers in Congress, particularly Democrats, have called for formal inquiries and raised concerns about potential violations of federal ethics laws and foreign influence statutes. Representative Carolyn Maloney, former chair of the House Oversight Committee, had launched an investigation into the matter in 2022, requesting documents from Kushner’s firm. However, the progress and outcomes of that investigation remain unclear, especially after the GOP took control of the House in 2023.
Legal analysts are divided on whether Kushner could face legal jeopardy over the deal. While the optics are troubling, proving illegality would require hard evidence that a quid pro quo took place while Kushner was still in office. The U.S. has relatively weak laws when it comes to post-government employment or financial entanglements, and without a clear paper trail or whistleblower testimony, building a case would be challenging. Ethics watchdogs, however, continue to argue that even if it’s not technically illegal, it highlights a major vulnerability in the American system — where former officials can cash in on foreign relationships forged while serving the public.
Meanwhile, Kushner has defended the investment as purely business-related and denied any wrongdoing. In public appearances and interviews, he has maintained that Affinity Partners is a legitimate firm with long-term plans for investing in the Middle East and beyond. He’s also pointed out that other high-profile figures, including former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, also received Saudi investments after leaving office. To his supporters, this is just the latest example of a politically motivated attempt to smear Trump-world figures ahead of another election cycle.
Despite the attention the issue has received in the press and among ethics circles, there is no public confirmation from the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency that a formal investigation into Kushner has begun. Some insiders suggest that political sensitivities, especially regarding U.S.-Saudi relations, could be a reason for the lack of action. Others believe that the trail may simply be too cold to pursue unless new information emerges.
What is clear, however, is that the Kushner-Saudi connection continues to raise fundamental questions about how former public officials are allowed to operate once they leave office. As long as the current legal framework remains in place, such deals — while questionable in the public eye — may remain legal under U.S. law. Whether or not that should change is now part of a broader debate about ethics, power, and accountability in American politics. Until then, the $2 billion question still hangs in the air: has Jared Kushner been investigated? And if not, why?
