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Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, met privately in recent weeks, according to two people familiar with the meeting.
Jeffries and Kushner discussed an array of topics, including possible areas of common ground, the sources said. Although Kushner does not have an official role in the current administration, he has remained deeply involved, especially on issues related to foreign policy, and continues to serve as an outside adviser to the president.
Jeffries told ABC News in a statement, "Throughout this Congress, Republicans have adopted a my-way-or-the-highway approach to governing that has failed the American people. To stop the madness, we have repeatedly made clear that an extremist approach will not work and will be met with forceful opposition. The American people want bold change and that’s what House Democrats will deliver. In every conversation that we have with the Trump administration, we will continue to make it explicitly clear that the affordability crisis is not a hoax and nothing short of transformational policy change is acceptable. We are fighting for an affordable America. The question is whether Republicans will join us."
The timing of the talks is striking. The midterms are less than 75 days away and Republicans are facing headwinds in recent polls. Democrats feel cautiously optimistic about their chances of taking the House and Jeffries would be in line to be the next speaker.
Jeffries and Kushner worked together during the first Trump administration on criminal justice and prison reform legislation.
House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday addressed reports that Jeffries met in New York with Kushner, telling Fox News: "I heard about it for the first time this morning. I know Jared, he's a smart guy. I'm telling you what, you better not bet against the House Republicans. I've been all around the country the last several weeks, this is going to come down to a race of about 19 streets ... I'm telling you, our base is going to turn out, and we're going to hold the House Republican lead."
President Donald Trump has railed against Jeffries, calling him a "thug" and a "low IQ" person. Jeffries has gone on the attack too, labeling Trump a "wannabe thug."
More recently, Trump has struck a different tone. In an interview this month with Punchbowl news, Trump called Jeffries a "nice guy," saying, "We had a good meeting."
Trump and Jeffries had their first and only official face-to-face meeting in the Oval Office on Sept. 29, 2025, to discuss government funding.
The New York Times was first to report news of the meeting.
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