President-elect Donald Trump named son-in-law Jared Kushner to be Senior Advisor to the President. Kushner will work with Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, replicating the campaign leadership team, minus Kellyanne Conway. Kushner is the husband of Ivanka Trump, but that relation was omitted in the transition press release.
As part of the news, Kushner will give up his ownership of the New York Observer, a New York City publication. As a result of his appointment, Kushner will transfer ownership to a family trust. Joseph Meyer, who currently serves as CEO and chairman of the Observer, will step in and serve as publisher of the Observer. Kushner is also stepping away from the editorial board.
Kushner, whose family has a strong real estate background, will not take a salary with this position.
“Jared has been a tremendous asset and trusted advisor throughout the campaign and transition and I am proud to have him in a key leadership role in my administration,” said President-elect Trump.
“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.”
Priebus said in a statement, “Jared is a visionary with a rare ability to communicate with and assemble broad coalitions of support. His entrepreneurial mindset will be a great asset to the team as well as his open mind, adaptability and keen intellect.”
Kushner said in a statement, “It is an honor to serve our country.”
“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.”
Kushner was known as a power broker within the Trump campaign. Kushner along with Trump’s children formed a power center and were able to hold sway over staff appointments. Kushner internally was an enemy of Governor Chris Christie, an animosity believed to be related to Christie prosecuting Kushner’s father, Charles Kushner, when Christie was a U.S. Attorney.