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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and President Trump’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner met recently, a source familiar with the details confirmed to CBS News.
The private discussion comes less than three months before the midterms. Democrats are aiming to take control of the House in the November elections, with Jeffries in line to possibly become the next House Speaker if they win the majority. It also comes as Republicans — led by Mr. Trump — have cast Democrats as the party of dangerous extremes.
The New York Times first reported the meeting, which took place in New York City and covered a broad range of topics and potential areas of common ground such as housing, immigration and cost of living. The White House and a Kushner spokesperson did not immediately respond to CBS News’ requests for comment.
In a statement, Jeffries did not confirm the meeting but said Democrats will not tolerate Republicans’ “my-way-or-the-highway approach to governing that has failed the American people.”
“To stop the madness, we have repeatedly made clear that an extremist approach will not work and will be met with forceful opposition,” Jeffries said.
Kushner has no formal role in the White House, but he serves as a key adviser to Mr. Trump in overseas diplomatic negotiations. He and Jeffries worked together on criminal justice reform legislation during Mr. Trump’s first term.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that he first learned of this meeting from news reports.
“I don’t know what that’s about,” Johnson said to Fox News’ Peter Doocy. “I know Jared has interests and lots of other things going on. He’s not really directly involved in the admin, at least in the day-to-day in the White House.”
While Mr. Trump met frequently with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and the former House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi in his first term, he has only met with Schumer and Jeffries once so far this term.
Mr. Trump has instead used his social media to insult both of them, including referring to Jeffries as “low IQ” and a “thug.” Earlier this year, Jeffries called Mr. Trump “the dumbest president ever.”
However, in an interview this month with Punchbowl News, Mr. Trump said he could work with the Democratic leader and described him as a “nice guy.”
“People are harsh on me. I’m harsh on them. It’s part of the world,” Mr. Trump said. “I’d probably get along with him very well.”
