Kathrine Frich
The reporter wanted to know exactly why the public should trust the businessman with current peace efforts.
When high-level job applicants sit down for an interview, their past performance is usually the first thing scrutinized.
A string of stalled projects would normally cause an employer to look elsewhere.
But in the realm of global diplomacy, the usual rules do not always apply.
No trust
Jared Kushner recently found himself facing a tough review while standing before news cameras in Kyiv.
NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel directed a blunt question at the presidential son-in-law. The reporter wanted to know exactly why the public should trust the businessman with current peace efforts.
“You have been involved in numerous negotiations around the world,” Engel said, according to HuffPost. “Why should people have any confidence in your capacity to succeed here?”
A trail of crises
Engel quickly listed a series of international conflicts where the envoy had previously tried to broker peace.
The journalist pointed out the ongoing devastation in the Middle East, along with the unresolved conflict involving Iran. “You were involved in the Gaza negotiations, but Gaza remains a wasteland,” Engel noted during the exchange.
He also reminded the official that the Iranian war still rages on today. Moving to the current mission in Eastern Europe, Engel highlighted that the violence was only getting more intense despite earlier talks.
HuffPost reported that the intense line of questioning quickly put the special envoy on the defensive.
Defending the record
Kushner responded by arguing that international conflicts are incredibly complex puzzles. “I think these are some of the hardest problem sets in the world, and I think that you have to try and you have to bring to it,” he told the reporter.
The adviser also mentioned his diplomatic partner, billionaire real estate investor Steve Witkoff. Kushner explained that the two men bring different approaches but work well together.
“We’re really representing President Trump, and we’re doing it the way that he wants to see these things done,” Kushner said.
Pushing back hard
To defend his track record, the envoy touted his involvement in previous trade agreements and the 2026 World Cup. He then pushed back against the journalist’s critical approach.
“The tone of your question was a little bit like, ‘Why haven’t you done every single impossible thing possible?'” Kushner stated, according to HuffPost.
He insisted his team achieved many unthinkable things during the previous administration. However, the reality on the ground remains grim.
HuffPost reported that Russian forces resumed airstrikes on Kyiv by Tuesday, killing at least two people and casting further doubt on the latest diplomatic efforts.
Sources: HuffPost, NBC News
