Hakeem Jeffries faced backlash after a private meeting with Jared Kushner. So he posted a video defending why he took it: ‘Not a hoax’

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries responded to criticism after news emerged of a private meeting he held with Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump. According to a report by The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman and Annie Karni, the meeting took place in New York and was arranged by a mutual friend. The two are said to have discussed housing, immigration, and the high cost of living as possible areas of common ground.

The report stated that members of Trump’s inner circle were aware of the chance of a Democratic-led House and were trying to build a working relationship ahead of any change. Democrats, progressive activists, and other critics of Trump reacted with anger to the news of the meeting.

Jeffries, who stands to become Speaker if Democrats regain the House majority in November, addressed the situation in a video posted on social media Monday evening. In the caption accompanying the post, he wrote, “No one from the Trump Cartel is getting a pass.”

Jeffries explains the meeting and repeats calls for accountability in video

In the video, Jeffries said he was finishing a community event and wanted to offer “a little real talk on this Jared Kushner situation.” He stated that Kushner had asked for the meeting and that he agreed to take it. Jeffries said the purpose was “to discuss the affordability crisis that exists – that is not a hoax.”

He added that no one would receive special treatment. “At the same period of time, and I shouldn’t have to say it, but I am, no one is going to get a pass,” Jeffries said. “We are gonna hold every single member of the Trump cartel accountable, beginning on day one. If you’re stealing from the American people, shortchanging the American people, or screwing over the American people, you’re going to be held accountable.”

Jeffries continued that Democrats would “follow the facts, apply the law, and be guided by the Constitution, beginning on day one, and hold the crooks accountable.” 

He described how House Democrats had pushed back against the Trump administration on issues including tariffs, Medicaid, the Epstein files, SNAP food assistance, the Affordable Care Act, what he called the “reckless war of choice in Iran,” ICE funding, and “unprecedented corruption unleashed on the American people.”

Jeffries has previously shared skepticism toward US-Iran agreements. He claimed those efforts had produced results, saying, “Pam Bondi is gone. Kristi Noem is gone. And we’re just getting started.” Jeffries then returned to the cost-of-living issue. “The affordability crisis in this country is very real. It needs to be dealt with. I hear about it every day,” he said.

People are “drowning in this failed economy and are demanding action,” according to Jeffries. He stated that far too many Americans are “stressed the ‘F–k’ out when it is time to go to the grocery store, pay the rent, or put gas in the tank.” He called the situation unacceptable in the United States and said Democrats have a responsibility to address it. Kushner has also drawn attention in other international projects, including protests over a Trump-linked resort.