Jared Kushner, the American businessman and son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump, has become the focus of controversy in Albania over a €1.4 billion luxury resort project on the Adriatic coast. His investment firm, Affinity Partners, is backing the development on Sazan Island, which would include hotels, villas, apartments, and a marina. The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from environmental groups and local activists, who argue it threatens fragile ecosystems and lacks sufficient transparency about its investors.
Kushner, 45, first entered the global spotlight during Trump's first term (2017–2021) as a senior White House adviser. Despite having no prior government experience, he was given a broad portfolio covering criminal justice reform, trade policy, and Middle East diplomacy. His role in the Abraham Accords, which normalised relations between Israel and several Arab states, earned him praise from supporters, while critics questioned the long-term impact of the agreements.
In February 2026, Trump formally appointed Kushner as Special Envoy for Peace, giving him an official role in international mediation efforts. He has since worked alongside senior envoy Steve Witkoff on negotiations concerning Iran's nuclear programme and the war in Ukraine.
From Real Estate to the White House
Born in Livingston, New Jersey, in 1981, Kushner grew up in 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 and later earned joint law and business degrees from New York University. Before entering politics, he expanded the family's real estate empire and purchased the New York Observer newspaper in 2006 at age 25.
Kushner married Ivanka Trump, the daughter of Donald Trump, in 2009. His 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 prison sentence. Charles was later appointed US ambassador to France and Monaco in 2025.
Links to Moscow and the Mueller Investigation
Kushner featured prominently in the Mueller Report, which investigated Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election and whether members of Trump's campaign coordinated with Russian officials. Kushner was interviewed by investigators and appeared repeatedly in the final report following meetings with Russian intermediaries, but he was never charged with a crime.
His diplomatic efforts have included talks with Iran, Ukraine, and Russia, aimed at reducing tensions and advancing potential peace agreements. In recent months, he has worked alongside Steve Witkoff on these negotiations.
Saudi Backing and Affinity Partners
After leaving government in 2021, 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. This financial support has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, given Kushner's previous role in shaping US Middle East policy.
The Albanian resort project has become a flashpoint for broader concerns about foreign investment in sensitive areas. Albanian Protests Swell as Anti-Government Movement Targets Rama Over Kushner-Linked Resort highlights the growing opposition to Prime Minister Edi Rama's government, which has been accused of fast-tracking the deal without adequate public consultation. Meanwhile, Brussels Warns Albania Over Trump-Linked Resort Project in Protected Area underscores the European Union's concerns about the project's environmental impact on a protected coastal zone.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Kushner's role in Albania serves as a reminder of how his business and political interests remain intertwined, even as he takes on a formal diplomatic role in the Trump administration.
