White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner was reportedly a key player in persuading President Trump to make the disastrous decision to back Sen. Luther Strange (R-AL) in the Alabama Senate primary — a decision that has backfired spectacularly and pitted Trump against his base.
Trump endorsed the establishment-backed Strange against conservative opponent Roy Moore and campaigned for Strange Friday in Huntsville, Alabama. However, it wasn’t enough for Strange to overcome an enormous polling deficit — and Moore soundly beat Strange Tuesday night.
Trump had seemed to recognize he had made a bad decision, telling the Huntsville crowd “I might have made a mistake” in endorsing Strange. He later promised to campaign for Moore if he won.
According to Politico, “Trump was encouraged to pick Strange before the August primary by son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner as well as other aides.”
If accurate, it is the latest misstep from his senior adviser, who has reportedly advised Trump into a series of questionable decisions, including the firing of FBI Director James Comey and the hiring of Anthony Scaramucci — who was in the position of communications director for little more than a week before having a very public meltdown in July.
Commentator Mickey Kaus noted Tuesday night Kushner’s penchant for questionable decisions:
Advice from Jared: 1) Fire Comey. Dems will love it! 2) Hire @Scaramucci to set up a professional operation. … You want to wait for #3?
— Mickey Kaus (@kausmickey) July 28, 2017
We have #3)! "Back Strange." It's officially a trend. Really, how much awful advice from his son-in-law is @RealDonaldTrump going to take? https://t.co/oMzMItWhnM
— Mickey Kaus (@kausmickey) September 27, 2017
Kaus also noted a Washington Post report that Jeff Roe, Strange’s top consultant, “fed regular updates to Kushner.” Kaus asked whether Kushner was “taken for a ride” by Roe.
Did #PrinceJared get taken for a ride by consultant Jeff Roe? Sure looks that way. https://t.co/PbxVE5xxi9
— Mickey Kaus (@kausmickey) September 27, 2017
Kushner has had his own troubles apart from his advice to President Trump. His family business has been subpoenaed for its use of an investment-for-immigration program after it made a pitch to Chinese investors in which it is believed to have pitched green cards.
This week, it was revealed Kushner was one of a number of White House officials who had occasionally used a private email address for White House business — a move which has attracted the interest of the House Oversight Committee.
Adam Shaw is a Breitbart News politics reporter based in New York. Follow Adam on Twitter: @AdamShawNY
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