Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries met with President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in recent weeks, signalling people close to the president may be preparing for at least one chamber of Congress to flip to Democratic control as the midterm elections loom.
A person familiar with the meeting, who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, confirmed the two men had met. The New York Times first reported the detente, which comes as Democrats and Republicans publicly battle for control of Congress ahead of November.
In a statement to CNBC, Jeffries did not directly comment on the meeting with Kushner but said 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."
Kushner, who was one of Trump's senior advisors during his first term, did not take on a government role when his father-in-law was reelected in 2024. However, he has emerged as a key player in the president's efforts across the globe as a negotiator and outside advisor.
The White House did not immediately comment on the meeting.
The New York Times reported that the meeting was a "catch-up" for the pair, who worked together on various issues during the first Trump administration. The paper 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 Democrats may be open to working with Republicans if they win the majority, but only on their terms.
"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," 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 GOP to lose its near total control of Washington come November. The midterms are less than three months away with Democrats leading Republicans in the generic ballot by more than six points on average.
Jeffries, who has served as minority leader since 2023, is likely to become Speaker of the House if Democrats prevail in the chamber. Democrats are widely expected to launch myriad investigations into the Trump White House and its associates in the private sector, including Kushner, if they win.
Democrats winning control of one or both chambers of Congress would also effectively lock up large legislative pushes 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-La., told Fox News on Sunday that Kushner is a "smart guy" who will "hedge his bets." But Johnson sought to express confidence that Republicans will hold their razor-thin majority after November.
"But I'm telling you what, you better not bet against the House Republicans," Johnson said. "Our base is going to turn out, and we're going to hold the House Republican majority."
