President-elect Trump’s son-in-law will be named a White House senior adviser, it was announced Monday.
Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, served as a top confidante to Trump during the campaign.
“Jared has been a tremendous asset and trusted adviser throughout the campaign and transition and I am proud to have him in a key leadership role in my administration,” Trump said. “He has been incredibly successful, in both business and now politics. He will be an invaluable member of my team as I set and execute an ambitious agenda, putting the American people first.”
The transition said Kushner, a wealthy businessman and real estate developer, will forego a salary while serving in the administration.
“It is an honor to serve our country,” Kushner said. “I am energized by the shared passion of the president-elect and the American people and I am humbled by the opportunity to join this very talented team.”
Incoming White House adviser Kellyanne Conway tweeted that Kushner joining the White House is the “Best News of the Day.”
“Jared is a visionary with a rare ability to communicate with and assemble broad coalitions of support,” incoming chief of staff Reince Priebus said. “His entrepreneurial mindset will be a great asset to the team as well as his open mind, adaptability and keen intellect.”
Kushner is known as one of the top conduits to Trump and has been cited as one of the most influential members of the president-elect’s inner circle since he started working on the campaign. Reports indicate Kushner has been a go-between for current White House staffers who want to pass information on to Trump.
The 35-year-old Kushner owns the New York Observer and multiple properties in Manhattan.
It’s unclear how the young real estate mogul will comply with federal nepotism laws, which prohibit family members of presidents from working in the White House. A law passed in the wake of Robert F. Kennedy becoming attorney general under his brother, President John F. Kennedy, prohibits public officials from appointing or employing any relative.
Kushner and Ivanka Trump recently purchased a home in the Kalorama neighborhood of Washington D.C.
