Jared Kushner speaks: ‘I did not collude with Russia’
This morning, Jared Kushner spoke before the Senate Intelligence Committee, and prior to the closed-door questioning, he released an 11-page opening statement in which he carefully separated himself from Donald Trump Jr. and the infamous meeting between Trump Jr. and a Russian lawyer.
In his opening statements, Kushner said that he agreed to the meeting with his brother-in-law because it “was common for each of us to swing by the other’s meetings when requested.” However, he claimed that he did not read the full email chain that Trump Jr. sent to him, only the part detailing when the meeting would be held.
Further distancing himself from the meeting, he claimed that he had arrived late, after the incriminating campaign conversation, to hear that the conversation was on “the issue of a ban on U.S. adoptions of Russian children.” He further claimed that he had only been in the meeting for ten minutes before he emailed an assistant: “Can u pls call me on my cell? Need excuse to get out of meeting.”
— Donald Trump Jr. met with Russian lawyer over ‘damaging’ info about Clinton —
After the questioning this morning, Kushner addressed reporters outside the White House reiterating his position.
“Let me be very clear: I did not collude with Russia, nor do I know of anyone else in the campaign who did so,” Kushner said. “I had no improper contacts. I have not relied on Russian funds for my businesses and I have been fully transparent in providing all requested information.”
“Since the first questions were raised in March, I have been consistent in saying I was eager to share whatever information I have with investigating bodies and I have done so today,’’ he added. “All of my actions were proper.’’
What’s more, Kushner lambasted the idea that Russia had helped Trump to get elected in the first place, saying, “Donald Trump had a better message and ran a smarter campaign and that is why he won. Suggesting otherwise ridicules those who voted for him.”
