Jared Kushner meets with Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries ahead of midterms

What This is

• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries met privately in Manhattan with Jared Kushner, a former Trump White House adviser who still serves as an outside adviser to President Trump.
• Both sides described the meeting as a discussion about possible areas of cooperation between Democrats and the White House.
• Jeffries framed Democrats’ priorities around affordability and said Democrats could pursue policy changes if they win the House.
• The meeting drew mixed reactions, including criticism from some Democrats and Trump critics who want any engagement paired with aggressive oversight of Kushner’s finances and foreign ties.
• Some observers interpreted the outreach as preparation for a possible shift in House control after the midterms, while Republicans said they expect to keep their majority.
• Kushner suggested Jeffries meet with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles as a next step.

Why This Matters

• It shows how campaign-season rivals sometimes keep back channels open to cut deals if power shifts after an election.
• It highlights which issues both parties think voters care about most right now, especially housing and everyday costs.
• It raises questions about who has real influence around Trump, and how much weight informal advisers should carry.
• It reflects a tension for Democrats between seeking policy wins and pushing oversight of Trump-linked figures.