House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries met with Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, in recent weeks. This meeting, confirmed by a person familiar with the discussion, suggests that individuals close to the president may be anticipating a shift in congressional control, with at least one chamber potentially flipping to Democratic hands as the midterm elections approach in less than three months.
During their discussion, Jeffries and Kushner reportedly explored potential areas of common ground, including housing, immigration, and affordability. Kushner, who served as a senior advisor during Trump’s first term, did not take on a government role after the 2024 reelection but has remained an influential outside advisor and negotiator for the president.
Jeffries, who has been the minority leader since 2023, is a likely candidate for Speaker of the House if Democrats secure a majority in the chamber. In a statement, Jeffries emphasized that in all conversations with the Trump administration, Democrats will continue to assert that the affordability crisis is not a hoax and requires transformational policy change. He indicated that Democrats might be open to bipartisan work if they gain the majority, but only on their own terms, stating that an extremist approach will be met with forceful opposition.
The timing of the meeting has led to speculation that some within the president’s circle are preparing for the Republican Party to potentially lose its near-total control of Washington in November. Democrats currently hold a lead of more than six points on average in the generic ballot. House Speaker Mike Johnson commented that Kushner is a smart individual who hedges his bets, but expressed confidence that House Republicans will maintain their slim majority.
A Democratic victory in one or both chambers of Congress could impede large legislative initiatives that lack bipartisan support and might complicate efforts to raise the debt ceiling next year if it is not addressed this year. The meeting was described as a catch-up for Jeffries and Kushner, who collaborated on various issues during the first Trump administration. Kushner also reportedly suggested that Jeffries meet with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, a detail confirmed by the person familiar with the meeting.
