Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Sunday sought to minimize the significance of a reported meeting between Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), casting Kushner as a peripheral figure in the current administration.
Asked about the sit-down on Fox News's "The Sunday Briefing," Johnson told host Peter Doocy: "I don't know what that's about. I know Jared has interest in lots of other things going on." The Louisiana Republican added that Kushner is "not really directly involved in the admin, at least in the day-to-day in the White House."
The New York Times reported Sunday that Kushner and Jeffries recently met in New York City to discuss areas of potential common ground. According to the Times, the two talked about housing, immigration, and the cost of living as possible avenues for cooperation between the Trump administration and a Democratic-led House.
Kushner, who served as a senior White House adviser during Trump's first term, has more recently acted as an informal foreign envoy for his father-in-law, focusing on conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as failed peace efforts with Iranian officials. His portfolio has kept him outside the formal administration structure, which Johnson's comments appeared to underscore.
The meeting comes as Democrats are increasingly favored to reclaim the House. As of Friday, Decision Desk HQ gives Democrats a 66 percent chance to win control of the lower chamber in the 2026 midterms. Jeffries, who has led the House Democratic Caucus since January 2023, succeeding retiring Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), has been a vocal critic of Trump's policies, particularly on the cost of living.
During the conversation, Kushner reportedly suggested that Jeffries meet with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, according to two people with knowledge of the meeting. The Hill has reached out to the White House and Jeffries's office for comment.
Jeffries's criticism of the administration has intensified in recent days. He has called the Medicaid cuts stemming from the GOP-backed One Big Beautiful Bill "devastating," labeled the Iran conflict "Operation Epic Failure," and accused Republicans of being "phonies" for adding to the national debt, which surpassed $40 trillion this week.
Despite the sharp rhetoric, Trump has signaled a willingness to work with Jeffries. Earlier this month, Trump told Punchbowl News that Jeffries is a "nice guy" with whom he could do business. Last year, Trump mocked Jeffries with an AI-generated video showing the New York Democrat wearing a sombrero.
Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) defended the Kushner-Jeffries meeting during an appearance on NewsNation's "The Hill Sunday." "People complain that we don't talk enough. I think this is showing that the administration is trying to strike deals," she told host Chris Stirewalt. "They are trying to come up with compromises. Congratulate them for that. It seems like they can't win for losing. If they talk to Democrats, they get criticized. If they don't talk to Democrats, they get criticized."
The reported meeting also highlights the administration's broader outreach efforts, as Trump has sought to ease housing costs and address other economic concerns. Meanwhile, Trump's political operation is gearing up for the midterms, with plans to deploy a massive fundraising war chest. The Kushner-Jeffries talks could signal a pragmatic approach to governance in a divided Washington, even as partisan battles continue to rage.
