Jared Kushner’s Role in the Coronavirus Response

The trend of the former president’s son-in-law being handed serious responsibilities far beyond his experience continued during the pandemic. American Oversight is investigating how Jared Kushner mismanaged the hunt for medical supplies, and whether his personal business or associates benefited.

Despite having no evident experience that would serve him taking a lead role in responding to a national public health emergency, former White House Adviser Jared Kushner was tasked with spearheading the procurement of badly needed medical supplies and personal protective equipment for the nation’s medical workers in an effort known as “Project Airbridge.” In that endeavor, Kushner turned toward a group of private-sector volunteers, many with similarly little expertise.

The project was soon beset by problems that stemmed from this lack of experience. Promising leads were overlooked in favor of tips from Trump allies, with those tips making their way onto a “VIP Update” spreadsheet. “Few of the leads, V.I.P. or otherwise, panned out,” wrote the New York Times in reporting on a whistleblower memo written by a volunteer.

Others close to Kushner found their way into the federal response effort. The CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation — Adam Boehler, Kushner’s college roommate — was also central in managing the response by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to critical supply shortages. And according to reporting by the Atlantic in late March 2020, a health insurance company co-founded by Kushner’s brother built a testing-information website for the government that was eventually scrapped.

American Oversight is investigating the role that the president’s son-in-law has played in the federal government’s pandemic response, from the involvement of his personal associates to the small-business relief loans that went to his family’s companies.

Updates

New Records Include Private Executives’ Emails with Hahn, Kushner

May 27, 2021
American Oversight has obtained new emails from 2020 in which Trump officials fielded requests from private-sector representatives, in some cases requesting assistance from top public health officials.

Covid-19 Oversight News: Coronavirus Variants, the Surge in Michigan, and J&J Vaccine Supplies

April 12, 2021
For the latest news on the pandemic, as well as updates on various oversight investigations, sign up for our weekly Covid-19 Oversight News email.

Newly Obtained Emails Include Private-Sector Executives’ Pandemic-Related Communications with Kushner, Mnuchin

April 9, 2021
Kushner’s task force, which relied on private companies to address pandemic challenges, raised questions about undue influence and created confusion among federal officials.

One Year of the Coronavirus Pandemic: The Federal Response

March 24, 2021
From the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic last year, a stumbling federal response exacerbated a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis.

One Year of Covid-19 Oversight

March 3, 2021
A timeline of the pandemic’s first 12 months and our efforts to hold government officials accountable for their handling of the historic public health crisis.

Covid-19 Oversight News: Vaccine Confusion, Birx and Fauci Interviews, and Biden’s Executive Actions

January 25, 2021
For the latest news on the pandemic, as well as updates on various oversight investigations, sign up for our weekly Covid-19 Oversight News email.

Covid-19 Oversight News: CDC Flip-Flops, Azar’s ‘Power Grab,’ and Vaccine Trial Plans

September 21, 2020
For the latest news on the pandemic, as well as updates on various oversight investigations, sign up for our weekly Covid-19 Oversight News email.

Investigations Update: Family Separation, Unmarked Law Enforcement, and Trump’s Campaign Rallies

June 30, 2020
Here’s a look at the investigations our team has been pursuing through public records requests and Freedom of Information Act litigation in the last week.

News Roundup: The Administration’s Failure to Confront Two National Crises

June 19, 2020
The Trump administration's responses to the deadly coronavirus pandemic and to nationwide protests against systemic racism in law enforcement have been both harmful and insufficient.

New Lawsuit Seeks Records of Jared Kushner’s Failed Coronavirus Supply Chain Task Force

June 18, 2020
Jared Kushner was tasked with managing the supply chain of lifesaving equipment and Americans paid the price. The public deserves to know why.

News Roundup: A Somber Week After Memorial Day

May 29, 2020
As states across the country enter various phases of “reopening,” sobering news about the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic continues to emerge. 

News Roundup: One Firing, Multiple Scandals

May 22, 2020
Trump's firing of the State Department's inspector general has unearthed a series of concerning stories about the conduct of the very person who pressed for the firing — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

News Roundup: The Subversion of Justice at the Justice Department

May 15, 2020
From investigations into the president’s perceived enemies to interference in the criminal cases of Trump allies like Flynn and Roger Stone, the ongoing politicization of the department is a dangerous threat to the rule of law.

American Oversight Sues Treasury, State and HHS for Coronavirus Communications

May 6, 2020
The lawsuit seeks seeks the release of emails sent by senior appointees including Secretary Mnuchin, Secretary Azar, and Secretary Pompeo.

News Roundup: Corruption and Coronavirus

April 10, 2020
Trump is apparently counting on the public to be too distracted by the coronavirus to pay much attention to his continuing dictator-like purges of government officials and his brazen rejection of oversight. 
Show all updates

Related Documents

December 22, 2022

DFC Records Released in Response to Request for Adam Boehler’s Calendars and Communications about Covid-19 Supply Chain Matters

U.S. Agency for International Development
Agency Record
September 30, 2021

Treasury Records of Officials’ Communications with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump from February to June 2020

Department of the Treasury
Agency Record
April 23, 2021

DOD Communications Regarding Private Individuals Involved in Covid-19 Response

Department of Defense
Agency Record
March 18, 2021

CDC Materials Prepared for Jared Kushner Concerning the Covid-19 Pandemic from March 2020

Department of Health and Human Services, HHS - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Agency Record
June 25, 2020

FOIA to DHS for “VIP Updates” Provided to the Covid-19 Supply Chain Task Force

Department of Homeland Security
FOIA Request
June 25, 2020

FOIA to DOD for “VIP Updates” Provided to the Covid-19 Supply Chain Task Force

Department of Defense
FOIA Request
June 23, 2020

USTR Records of Coronavirus-Related Communications with Jared Kushner

White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Agency Record
June 17, 2020

Complaint: American Oversight v. DHS, DOD, FEMA, and DFC – Kushner’s Covid-19 Response

Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, DHS - Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
Litigation
May 22, 2020

FOIA to FDA Seeking Communications Between with Jared Kushner and with Ivanka Trump

Department of Health and Human Services, HHS - Food and Drug Administration
FOIA Request
May 20, 2020

FOIA to OMB Seeking Communications Between Acting Director Russell Vought and Jared Kushner and/or Ivanka Trump

White House - Office of Management and Budget
FOIA Request
May 19, 2020

FOIA to USAID for Rachael Baitel Emails Regarding Coronavirus Supplies

U.S. Agency for International Development
FOIA Request
May 15, 2020

FOIA to USTR Seeking Communications Between Robert Lighthizer and Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump Concerning Coronavirus

White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
FOIA Request
May 12, 2020

FOIA to DFC Asking for Adam Boehler’s Communications with Kushner and Associates

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
FOIA Request
May 12, 2020

FOIA to DFC Asking for Adam Boehler’s Calendars and Communications about COVID-19 Supply Chain Matters

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
FOIA Request
April 3, 2020

FOIA to HHS Seeking All Directions Given to Oscar to Build a COVID-19 Testing Website

Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Request
April 3, 2020

FOIA to HHS Seeking Records Reflecting COVID-19 Meetings with Oscar

Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Request
April 3, 2020

FOIA to CMS Seeking Communications Between Federal Officials and Jared Kushner, Josh Kushner, and Other Individuals Associated with Oscar

Department of Health and Human Services, HHS - Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services
FOIA Request
April 3, 2020

FOIA to HHS Seeking Email Communications Regarding Oscar and its Coronavirus Testing Website

Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Request
April 3, 2020

FOIA to CMS Seeking Email Communications Regarding Oscar and its Coronavirus Testing Website

Department of Health and Human Services, HHS - Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services
FOIA Request
April 3, 2020

FOIA to HHS Seeking Records Reflecting Oscar’s Donation of COVID-19 Website Work

Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Request
April 2, 2020

FOIA to Multiple Agencies Seeking All Coronavirus Briefing Materials Prepared for Jared Kushner

Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, DHS - Federal Emergency Management Agency, HHS - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HHS - Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS - Food and Drug Administration, Office of the Director of National Intelligence
FOIA Request