Democratic Leader Jeffries Meets With Jared Kushner As Midterms Loom

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has met with President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in recent weeks, indicating that people close to the president may be preparing for at least one chamber of Congress to shift to Democratic control as the midterm elections approach.

A person familiar with the meeting, who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, confirmed that the two men had met. The New York Times first reported on the détente, which comes as Democrats and Republicans publicly fight for control of Congress ahead of November.

In a statement to CNBC, Jeffries did not comment directly on the meeting with Kushner, but said that in “every conversation we have with the Trump administration, we will continue to make explicitly clear that the affordability crisis is not a hoax and that nothing less than transformative policy change is acceptable.”

Kushner, who was a top Trump adviser during his first term, did not take on a government role when his father-in-law was re-elected in 2024. However, he has become a key player in the president’s efforts around the world as a negotiator and outside adviser.

The White House had no immediate comment on the meeting.

The New York Times reported that the meeting was a “catch-up” for the couple, who worked together on several issues during the first Trump administration. The newspaper also reported that Kushner suggested Jeffries meet with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, which the person familiar with the meeting confirmed.

Kushner and Jeffries also reportedly discussed housing, immigration and affordability as potential areas of common ground, the Times reported.

In his statement, Jeffries suggested that Democrats might be open to working with Republicans if they win the majority, but only on their terms.

“To stop the madness, we have made it clear repeatedly that an extremist approach will not work and will be met with resounding opposition. The American people want bold change and that is what House Democrats will achieve,” Jeffries said. “We are fighting for an affordable America. The question is whether Republicans will join us.”

The timing of the meeting suggests that some in the president’s orbit are preparing for the Republican Party to lose its near-total control of Washington in November. There are less than three months until the midterm elections and Democrats lead Republicans in the generic vote by more than six points on average.

Jeffries, who has served as minority leader since 2023, is likely to become House speaker if Democrats prevail in the chamber. If they win, Democrats are widely expected to launch countless investigations into the Trump White House and his associates in the private sector, including Kushner.

If Democrats were to gain control of one or both chambers of Congress, they would also secure major legislative initiatives that are not bipartisan, and could make it more difficult to raise the debt ceiling next year if it is not raised this year.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, told Fox News on Sunday that Kushner is a “smart guy” who will “hedge his bets.” But Johnson tried to express confidence that Republicans will maintain their narrow majority after November.

“But I tell you one thing: You better not bet against House Republicans,” Johnson said. “Our base is going to turn out and we are going to maintain the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.”