House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries met privately with Jared Kushner in recent weeks to explore areas of potential common ground ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The session took place in a private New York City location provided by a mutual acquaintance, according to five people familiar with the discussion. Topics included housing policy, immigration, and the high cost of living. Kushner, serving as an outside adviser to President Trump, also recommended that Jeffries connect with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

The New York Times first reported the meeting on Sunday. Neither Jeffries nor Kushner has issued a public statement, and aides declined to comment on the record. The encounter was described as a broad catch-up conversation rather than a formal negotiation.

The timing comes as midterm attacks intensify between the parties. Democrats hold the minority in the House but remain positioned to challenge for control in November. Jeffries would become speaker if his party secures the majority. The private outreach reflects efforts by figures close to the Trump administration to maintain lines of communication regardless of electoral outcomes.

Jeffries and Kushner have crossed paths on legislative matters before, including criminal justice reform during the first Trump term. The latest discussion focused on pragmatic overlaps rather than partisan flashpoints.

Public reaction has been mixed, with some progressive voices expressing frustration over the undisclosed contact. The report underscores ongoing attempts at back-channel dialogue in a polarized environment.