Who is Jared Kushner, Trump’s Son-in-law Tied to $55 Billion EA Sports Deal?

Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump is in the global spotlight once more. This time, it is not for being one of the most controversial political advisers of the Trump presidency, but about Electronic Arts (EA) Sports, one of the most famous gaming brands in the world. 

EA has agreed to be sold in a record $55 billion buyout led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), private equity firm Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s investment firm Affinity Partners. 

This immediately raised questions. Who is Jared Kushner, what is Affinity Partners, and why is his name tied to a deal involving EA Games? Let's break it down.

Jared Kushner: Real Estate Heir to Political Power Player

Born in 1981 into a wealthy New Jersey real estate family, Jared Kushner was pushed into business leadership in 2025 when his father Charles Kushner, founder of Kushner Companies, was convicted of tax evasion, illegal campaign donations, and witness tampering. 

The last charge gained national attention when Charles hired a prostitute to entrap his brother-in-law, secretly recorded the encounter, and tried to use it as leverage. He was sentenced to two years in federal prison, serving about 14 months.

At only 24, Jared Kushner stepped in to run Kushner Companies. He navigated debt-heavy deals like the troubled 666 Fifth Avenue property in Manhattan which shaped his reputation as a dealmaker, although often surrounded by controversy. Kushner’s public identity was further defined by his 2009 marriage to Trump’s eldest daughter Ivanka Trump. 

When Donald Trump became U.S. President in 2017, Jared joined the White House as a senior adviser. His portfolio included criminal justice reform, pandemic supply chain issues, and U.S.–Middle East relations. His close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during those years later became the foundation of his business network.

Affinity Partners: Jared Kushner’s Private Equity Firm

In 2021, after leaving the Trump government, Kushner founded Affinity Partners, based in Miami. The firm raised billions in commitments, most notably $2 billion from Saudi Arabia’s PIF, even though some internal advisors questioned Kushner’s lack of investment experience. 

With that capital base, Affinity has focused on growth equity, technology, and cross-border opportunities. It positions itself as a bridge between Gulf sovereign wealth and U.S. or Israeli innovation. Critics see Affinity as an extension of Kushner’s political connections. Supporters argue it provides Saudi capital with a professional channel to invest in Western markets.

How Is Jared Kushner Involved in the EA Sports Deal?

The buyout of Electronic Arts is being carried out by three players:

• Saudi Arabia’s PIF: Already a major investor in gaming
• Silver Lake: A U.S. private equity firm with a track record in technology deals
• Affinity Partners: Jared Kushner’s investment firm

Kushner’s firm has joined as a minority player in the consortium behind the $55 billion EA Sports buyout, raising questions about whether the fund brings capital, connections, or both.

Why Does Jared Kushner’s Role Matter?

• Bridge Builder: Kushner’s ties with Gulf leadership enabled alignment between Saudi sovereign wealth and U.S. private equity.
• Symbolic Balance: His involvement reassures regulators and investors wary of foreign dominance in U.S. entertainment assets.
• Strategic Leap: For Affinity Partners, this marks a move from smaller tech investments to one of the biggest buyouts in global business history.

Saudi Arabia, EA Games and Kushner’s Middle East Network

Saudi Arabia’s gaming push is part of Vision 2030, a strategy to diversify the Kingdom’s economy beyond oil. Through the PIF and its Savvy Games Group, Saudi Arabia has already taken stakes in Nintendo, Activision Blizzard, and other global gaming firms.

Kushner’s personal relationship with Mohammed bin Salman positioned him as a trusted partner for Saudi capital. His involvement in the EA Games buyout shows how political networks can evolve into financial influence.

What Does It Mean For EA Stock and EA Shareholders?

Following the buyout news, EA share price ended 4.5% higher on September 29, according to Google Finance. For investors, the outcome of this $55 billion buyout is clear:

• EA stockholders will receive 210 dollars per share in cash
• Electronic Arts (EA)stock will be delisted after the transaction closes
• The company will operate privately, with greater freedom to make long-term bets in AI-driven gaming, cloud platforms, and sports IP

For Kushner, this is a defining moment. A successful outcome would cement Affinity Partners’ credibility in global finance. A failure would fuel criticism that the firm survives only because of political access and Saudi backing.

The Bigger Picture: Jared Kushner Beyond Politics

The EA buyout highlights Jared Kushner’s transformation from real estate heir and White House adviser to international financier. He is now using his political networks to build a role in industries that shape global culture and technology.

Important questions remain. Is Kushner’s success the result of genuine investment skill or political access? Does Saudi Arabia’s growing role in EA Sports and other cultural assets raise governance or national security concerns? And can Affinity Partners deliver long-term financial performance?

For now, Jared Kushner is firmly tied to the largest leveraged buyout ever. When people ask “Who bought EA?”, the answer includes Saudi Arabia, Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners.

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