Claim: Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are planning to use Gulf cash and political ties to build a resort in Albania.
95%- Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are developing luxury resorts in Albania: This is true. Kushner's firm, Affinity Partners, is planning a $1.4 billion resort on Sazan island and a $4.7 billion development in the Zvërnec/Narta Lagoon area, with Ivanka Trump involved in the project123.
- The funding involves Gulf/Middle Eastern cash: This is true. Almost all funding behind Kushner's Affinity Partners comes from abroad, notably from government wealth funds in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates2. Additionally, Qatari entrepreneurs Moutaz and Ramez Al-Khayyat are reportedly involved as investors in the Zvërnec project2.
- Political ties are being leveraged: This is true. Kushner told The Guardian he was introduced to investing in Albania through Richard Grenell, Trump's envoy for special missions, and Grenell reportedly acted as Affinity's "business broker" in the region2. The Albanian government also granted the project "strategic investor status" shortly after President Trump's reelection in December 2024, allowing faster government approvals21.
- A corruption investigation is underway: Albanian authorities have opened an official inquiry into how the protected status of the land was altered in 2024 to allow development, and there have been public protests over environmental concerns4235.
Overall validity: 95%
- Albanian authorities probe seaside resort project linked to Jared Kushner – POLITICO
- Why Jared Kushner And Ivanka Trump's Albanian Resort ... - Forbes
- Plans for a Trump family-linked resort spark protests in Albania - NPR
- Ivanka Trump Says $1.4 Billion Private Island Resort Will Be a 'Masterpiece'
- Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner's $1.4 billion plan to build a luxury ...