RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Jared Kushner "hedges bets" when asked Sunday about a reported private meeting between Kushner and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries that has sparked debate in both parties.
The Louisiana Republican made the remark during an interview on Fox News after host Peter Doocy referenced a New York Times report that Jeffries and Kushner recently met privately and discussed potential areas of common ground.
"I heard about it the first time this morning," Johnson said. "I know Jared is a smart guy and he hedges bets, but I'm telling you what, you better not bet against the House Republicans."
The speaker added that he believes Republicans will retain control of the House despite expectations that Democrats could reclaim the chamber in November's midterm elections.
Newsweek reached out to Johnson, Jeffries, and Kushner on Sunday.
During the exchange, Doocy noted that Jeffries could become speaker if Democrats win the House and pointed to reports that Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a frequent outside adviser, had met with the Democratic leader.
Johnson largely declined to comment on the substance of the reported meeting, instead pivoting to the political outlook for Republicans.
"You better not bet against the House Republicans," Johnson said. "I've been all around the country the last several weeks. This is gonna come down to a race of about 19 seats that will decide the fate of the republic."
He described the midterms as a "contrast election" and predicted Republicans would maintain their majority.
The reported meeting comes as Democrats are increasingly favored to win back the House in November, which would likely make Jeffries speaker. Recent polling, prediction markets and Democratic gains in special elections have fueled reported expectations that Republicans could lose control of the chamber , a possibility Johnson appeared to dismiss in his Fox interview.
The Times reported Sunday that Jeffries and Kushner recently met in New York City and discussed several issues that could potentially attract bipartisan interest.
According to the report, topics included housing, immigration and the cost of living. Kushner also reportedly suggested that Jeffries meet with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
Neither Jeffries nor Kushner publicly commented on the meeting, according to the Times .
It also comes as Republicans and Democrats continue to attack each other on the campaign trail ahead of the midterms.
The reported meeting drew criticism from some Democrats and Trump critics. Former Obama aide Tommy Vietor said Jeffries should only work with Kushner when seeking "documents and subpoenas," while former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger wrote, "Make this make sense," and later said he believed the Trump administration may have intentionally leaked news of the meeting.
Others took a more measured approach. Appearing on NBC's Meet the Press , Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, said on Sunday that he supports people meeting to discuss ideas but suggested any judgment should depend on what comes of those conversations.
"I'm in favor of people meeting with whoever they want to discuss ideas," Van Hollen said. "But it's one thing to have a meeting. It's another thing to see something real come out of that."
The reported Jeffries-Kushner meeting has attracted attention because it suggests some behind-the-scenes communication between figures who could play major roles if Democrats regain control of the House.
If Democrats win control of the House, Jeffries would be the frontrunner to become speaker and could oversee intensified scrutiny of the Trump administration. At the same time, both parties continue to publicly clash over issues ranging from immigration and government spending to healthcare and foreign policy.
Johnson's characterization of Kushner as someone who "hedges bets" suggests he views the outreach as preparation for a possible Democratic House takeover, a scenario the speaker insisted Republicans can still prevent.
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