CREW requests records on taxpayer costs of international travel for Special Envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff

CREW filed Freedom of Information Act requests with the Department of State and the United States Secret Service, seeking records about the costs of international travel for Special Envoy for Peace Jared Kushner and Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff.

During President Trump’s second term, his son-in-law Jared Kushner has become one of his top foreign policy negotiators. Kushner has not been appointed to an official role, but he represents the United States in high-profile global conflicts and negotiates directly with foreign leaders. At the same time, Kushner is also a private businessman. His investment firm, Affinity Partners, holds $6 billion in managed assets, 99% of which are owned by foreign investors, including countries Kushner negotiates with.

Similarly, billionaire Steve Witkoff is acting as another top foreign policy negotiator for President Trump while maintaining business ties to the Middle East, including through World Liberty Financial (WLF), the cryptocurrency company he founded with his sons and the Trump family. These interests seem to overlap with his diplomatic responsibilities. For example, last year, an Emirati investment firm backed by national security advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al Nahyan, who Witkoff has met with in his official capacity, bought nearly half of WLF. The White House claims he has “fully divested from World Liberty Financial,” but Witkoff’s proximity to outside business interests raises questions.

Kushner’s and Witkoff’s business activities raise serious concerns regarding how their personal financial interests overlap with their diplomatic roles. The records CREW requested will show the extent to which Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are using their diplomatic status to pursue their private financial interests, a matter of significant public interest.