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Ivanka Trump faced a wave of criticism after sharing a clip of her husband, Jared Kushner, discussing a go-getter attitude on social media. In the clip, Kushner emphasizes a relentless pursuit of goals, using vivid metaphors of finding alternate paths when faced with obstacles.
Recorded in October 2023, Kushner's remarks detail a persistence that drew mixed reactions. "I just think it’s just something where, if you want to accomplish something, you know, a lot of people, I hear, complain about what other people do or why it’s hard, or why it’s impossible" Kushner asserts, reflecting on his own approach to challenges.
He adds:
“And again, I say this as somebody who has been so blessed with so many things in life, but when I’ve had challenges or things I’ve wanted to achieve, I just focus and say, ‘What can I do?’"
"I’ll read everything I can get my hands on. If I fail at one thing, if the door closes, I’ll try the window. If the window closes, I’ll try the chimney. If the chimney closes, I’ll try to dig a tunnel. It’s just, if you want to accomplish something, you just have to go at it.”
This week, Ivanka Trump shared this clip to X, formerly Twitter, saying she loves it because "it reveals the determined optimist who firmly believes that there's always a solution if you're willing to try enough paths."
You can see her post and the video of Jared's remarks below.
During their tenure as White House advisers, Kushner and Ivanka Trump refused paychecks but reaped between $172 million and $640 million in external earnings. Notably, a significant investment of $2 billion from a Saudi sovereign wealth fund into Kushner's Affinity Partners fund in April 2022 further fueled discussions about their financial dealings.
Ivanka Trump's cousin Mary Trump—a high-profile critic of her own family—pointed out in response to Ivanka's post, that receiving $2 billion in "Saudi blood money" would keep anyone "optimistic."
There is also a disparity between the couple's privileged positions and the notion of overcoming obstacles through sheer determination.
Kushner was born and raised in a world of fabulous wealth.
His father, Charles, an influential real-estate magnate and significant donor to the Democratic Party, established Kushner Companies in New York in 1985.
Having completed high school in New Jersey, Kushner pursued studies at Harvard University, earning a government degree in 2003. Reports circulated of his father contributing $2.5 million to bolster his son's academic prospects, although the family refuted these allegations. They were also known donors to institutions like Cornell and Princeton.
However, the family's reputation faced a significant setback in 2005 when Charles Kushner received a year-long prison sentence for 18 charges, including tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions, and witness tampering.
Many critics seized the opportunity to highlight Kushner's privileged background, pointing out his substantial wealth, inherited fortune, and lucrative external investments.
During his tenure as a White House advisor in the administration of his father-in-law, Kushner played a significant role in shaping Middle East policy.
Reports from The New York Times highlighted Kushner's subsequent endeavors after departing the White House in 2021. He established Affinity Partners, securing a substantial $2 billion funding that granted him the unprecedented opportunity to explore business ventures and prospects within Israel.
Despite the significant funding secured years ago, recent reports from The Wall Street Journal indicate that Kushner has yet to make substantial investments on behalf of Saudi Arabia.
The report highlighted that while accumulating substantial management fees annually, Kushner's firm did not execute any investments, a fact Kushner attributed to the tumultuous investment climate during Affinity Partners' inception.