Jared Kushner Linked to Albanian Resort Deal Sparking Protests

Jared Kushner is linked to an Albanian property development deal that has sparked nationwide protests, after his investment firm, Affinity Partners, backed a series of luxury tourism projects on the Adriatic coast.

The €1.4 billion proposal, would transform part of Sazan Island into a high-end resort featuring hotels, villas, apartments, a marina and other luxury facilities.

It has sparked opposition from environmental groups and local campaigners, who argue that it threatens sensitive ecosystems and lacks sufficient transparency over the role of its investors.

Kushner is an American businessman and adviser to US President Donald Trump. Best known as Trump's son-in-law, Kushner played a prominent role in the White House during Trump's first term from 2017 to 2021, becoming one of the administration's most influential and controversial figures.

Kushner has been linked to a series of diplomatic efforts involving Iran, Ukraine and Russia, taking part in talks aimed at reducing tensions and advancing potential peace agreements.

In recent months, he has worked alongside senior Trump envoy Steve Witkoff on negotiations concerning Iran's nuclear programme and the war in Ukraine.

In February 2026, President Donald Trump formally appointed Kushner as Special Envoy for Peace, giving him an official role in the administration's international mediation efforts.

From real estate to politics

Born on 10 January, 1981, in Livingston, New Jersey, Kushner comes from a wealthy real estate family. His father, Charles Kushner, founded the Kushner Companies, a property development and investment firm.

Jared Kushner graduated from Harvard University before earning joint law and business degrees from New York University.

Before entering politics, Kushner expanded his family's real estate empire and purchased the New York Observer newspaper in 2006 at the age of 25. He later became chief executive of Kushner Companies, overseeing major property investments in New York and elsewhere.

Kushner married Ivanka Trump, the daughter of Donald Trump, in 2009.

Following Trump's victory in the 2016 US presidential election, Kushner joined the White House as a senior adviser. Although he had no previous government experience, he was given a broad portfolio that included criminal justice reform, trade policy, government modernisation and Middle East diplomacy.

Links to Moscow

Jared Kushner featured prominently in the Mueller Report, a US investigation that concluded Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and whether members of Trump's campaign coordinated with Russian officials or intermediaries.

Kushner was interviewed by investigators and appeared repeatedly in the final report following meetings with Russian intermediaries but was never charged with a crime.

One of Kushner's most significant achievements in government was his role in the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements that normalised relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Supporters credited him with helping to reshape regional diplomacy, while critics questioned the long-term impact of the agreements.

However, his extensive influence and close family ties to the president attracted criticism from opponents, who argued that his role blurred the lines between public service and family loyalty.

His father, Charles, received a presidential pardon from Trump at the end of his first administration after being convicted of tax evasion and illegal campaign donations in 2004, which led to a two-year imprisonment.

Charles was appointed US ambassador to France and Monaco in 2025 by Trump's second administration.

Saudi backing

After leaving government in 2021, Jared Kushner founded Affinity Partners, a private equity firm focused on investments in the US, Israel and the Gulf region.

The firm attracted significant attention after receiving substantial backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

Kushner remains an influential figure in politics and international business. While he has largely stayed out of day-to-day political campaigning, his close relationship with Trump and extensive connections in the Middle East continue to make him a prominent figure on the global stage.