Kushner threatens suit over Vanity Fair excerpt alleging $2B Gulf slush fund

Key points

• Vanity Face published an excerpt from Matthew Cole’s book 'Princes and Thieves' on October 22, 2026, alleging Kushner managed secret bank accounts funded by Saudi and UAE leaders.
• The article claims at least $2 billion was funneled through accounts in Azerbaijan and Israel’s Central Bank, with half intended for Kushner’s personal benefit.
• Kushner’s lawyer Chad Mizelle demanded the article be taken down, stating the allegations are false and defamatory, and noted the author failed to provide bank statements or wire records.
• Kushner is expected to sue Simon & Schuster and Cole this week, with a potential suit against Vanity Face to follow.
• Vanity Face did not reach out to Kushner for comment or fact-checking before publication, according to sources close to him.

Background

This controversy follows Kushner’s earlier denial of similar claims in a New Yorker piece and coincides with Condé Nast’s search for a new CEO after Roger Lynch’s resignation. The magazine has faced recent scrutiny under editorial director Mark Guiducci, including the hiring and firing of reporter Olivia Nuzzi.

How outlets are covering it

Vanity Face and author Matthew Cole present the allegations as based on Dutch intelligence surveillance of Kushner’s hacked iPhone in 2017, citing sources from UAE and Israeli officials. Kushner and his legal team reject the claims as 'insane' and 'outrageous,' emphasizing the lack of verifiable financial evidence. The New Republic highlights additional claims that Kushner was paid $50 million by the UAE to oust Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, a claim Kushner’s lawyers deny. Critics like Axios’s Barak Ravid question the plausibility of the alleged Central Bank account, noting strict monitoring of such accounts.

Why it matters

The story raises questions about the credibility of major media outlets and the potential for defamation lawsuits in high-profile political reporting. It also highlights tensions between foreign governments and U.S. officials, with implications for Middle East diplomacy and transparency in financial dealings involving senior administration figures.

What to watch

Kushner is expected to file a lawsuit against Simon & Schuster and Matthew Cole this week. A potential suit against Vanity Face may follow if the article is not removed. The outcome will depend on the availability of verifiable evidence supporting the allegations.