Democratic leader Jeffries meets with Jared Kushner amid midterm campaign

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries met with former Trump senior adviser Jared Kushner in recent weeks, a gathering reported by a source familiar with the discussion. The meeting, described by the New York Times as a "catch-up," included talks on housing, immigration and affordability, and Kushner reportedly suggested Jeffries arrange a meeting with White House Chief of Staff Suzy Wiles.

Jeffries did not comment directly on the encounter but said in a statement to CNBC that the Democratic caucus will continue to stress that the affordability crisis is real and that only "transformational policy change" is acceptable. He added that Democrats would work with Republicans only on their terms, emphasizing a need for bold change.

Kushner, who served as a senior advisor during the first Trump administration but holds no government position after the 2024 election, has been acting as an outside negotiator for the president. The White House has not responded to inquiries about the meeting.

The timing of the discussion comes as Democrats lead Republicans by more than six points in generic-ballot polling and are expected to target control of the House in the November midterms. If successful, Jeffries could become Speaker, and Democrats have signaled intentions to pursue investigations into the Trump administration and its associates.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed the meeting as a hedge by Kushner, asserting confidence that Republicans will retain their narrow majority in the upcoming election.