Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Donald J. Trump, is making headlines once again as he closes in on major real estate deals in Albania and Serbia. These deals, which involve luxury tourist destinations and residential units, are the latest example of the Trump family’s business ventures abroad.
Kushner’s plans in the Balkans have been facilitated by relationships built during his time as a senior White House official, including with Richard Grenell, who served in various roles under Trump. One of the proposed projects includes developing an island off the coast of Albania into a luxury tourist destination, while another project in Belgrade, Serbia, involves a luxury hotel and residential units at the site of a former Yugoslav Army headquarters.
These projects require finalizing deals with foreign governments, as the land is currently government-controlled. Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners, which has funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is involved in these ventures. Despite the potential ethical concerns raised by these deals, Kushner remains optimistic about their success.
Critics, however, have raised questions about the ethics of these investments, particularly in light of potential conflicts of interest. The Trump family’s involvement in foreign business deals has been a contentious issue, with lawsuits alleging illegal profiting from foreign payments while Trump was in office.
Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, have largely distanced themselves from Trump’s political activities since the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. The couple has visited Albania multiple times, accompanied by Grenell, as they explore investment opportunities in the region.
Grenell, a former Fox News contributor, has been actively involved in these projects, working closely with Kushner and his investment firm. The day-to-day management of the projects would be overseen by Asher Abehsera, a real estate developer based in California.
Overall, Kushner and Grenell are focused on leveraging their relationships in the Balkans to turn a profit through these real estate ventures. While the projects are still in the planning stages, they represent a continuation of the Trump family’s business interests abroad.
