Gaslit Nation

Why has Jared Kushner escaped accountability for so long? Welcome to Part II of our discussion with investigative journalist Matthew Cole about his explosive new book Princes and Thieves: Jared Kushner and Mohamed bin Zayed's Secret Plot to Remake the Middle East.
Now that a popular uprising has brought the largest incoming class of new leaders into the House since 1933–when the people revolted against the business elites indifferent to their suffering in the Great Depression–it's time for transformative change and to hold the oligarchy accountable, starting with nepo-baby Jared Kushner. Gaslit Nation calls on Congress to pass the Kushner Act, barring family members from grifting in the halls of power, selling our national security to the highest bidder, even dragging us into an unwinnable disastrous war in Iran. Did Kushner accept $2 billion from Middle East autocrats–the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with an assist from Netanyahu–as a bribe for Trump to defy military experts and go to war with Iran? Congress must find out.
In Part II of our discussion with Matthew Cole, we discuss:
The threats on the lives of those who dare to stand up to the autocratic regimes of the Middle East.

Russia's role in Kushner enriching himself across the Middle East and why that matters, especially for Ukraine.

Where longtime Kremlin operative Paul Manafort fits into all this and how Manafort–one of the many people facing existential debt in 2016–got his job on the Trump campaign.

How to finally hold Kushner accountable and protect our country from the next Jared and Ivanka.

For our bonus episode this week, subscribe to listen to the full discussion, which looks at why Hakeem Jeffries may have secretly met with Kushner, how Kushner helped empower the rise of sociopath MBS and therefore the subsequent murder of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, Ivanka's ambition to become president and carry on the Trump dynasty, and more. To listen to the full episode, subscribe to Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com – discounted annual memberships are available, and on Patreon, you can give the gift of membership. Get access to bonus shows, all shows ad free, invites to exclusive events like our Monday salons, listener chats, and more when you subscribe on Patreon or Substack. Thank you to everyone who supports Gaslit Nation, especially in these hard times – we could not make this show without you.
Show Notes:
Join the Matriarchy Rising Book Tour!: https://www.andreachalupa.com/unreasonable/
Want a plan to bash the patriarchy? Live your most creative life and help build a better world with Andrea's new book, A Reasonable Guide for Unreasonable Women: 20 Steps to Find Your Purpose and Power in a World on Fire: https://www.andreachalupa.com/unreasonable/
Princes and Thieves: Jared Kushner and Mohamed bin Zayed's Secret Plot to Remake the Middle East, by Matthew Cole https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Princes-and-Thieves/Matthew-Cole/9781668095324
What you need to know about 666 Fifth Avenue https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-666-fifth-avenue/
"Princes and Thieves" Author Matthew Cole on Jared Kushner & the "Secret Plot to Remake Middle East" https://www.democracynow.org/2026/11/2/matthew_cole_jared_kushner_book
Jared Kushner Threatens Legal Action Over Vanity Fair Story Alleging Secret Bank Accounts https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/jared-kushner-vanity-fair-book-legal-threat/
Jared Kushner's Phone Was Hacked. It Exposed an Alleged $2 Billion Foreign Money Web https://dailycaller.com/2026/10/23/jared-kushner-phone-hacked-foreign-money-web-united-arab-emirates-saudi-matthew-cole/
How Kushner Conducted Foreign Policy for Profit https://business-standard.com/book/how-kushner-conducted-foreign-policy-for-profit-126110100856_1.html
Raskin Urges Kushner to Recuse Himself From Negotiations Amid Book's Allegations https://truthout.org/video/raskin-urges-kushner-to-recuse-himself-from-negotiations-amid-books-allegations/
Susan Rice Told House Investigators Why She Unmasked Trump Officials https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/13/politics/susan-rice-house-investigators-unmasked-trump-officials
Kushners Unload 666 Fifth Ave. to Brookfield in 99-Year Lease https://fortune.com/2018/08/04/kushners-666-fifth-avenue-lease
House Democrats Investigate Mysterious Qatar-Linked Cash Infusion That Bailed Out Kushner Building https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/house-democrats-investigate-mysterious-qatar-linked-cash-infusion-bailed
Mueller Probe Witness Gets 10-Year Sentence on Child Porn, Abuse Charges https://news.yahoo.com/mueller-probe-witness-gets-10-180948775.html
Mueller Witness Pleads Guilty in Illegal Scheme to Funnel UAE Money to Hillary Clinton's 2016 Campaign https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/?p=1532055
Lukoil's Foreign Asset Sale Becomes Part of U.S.–Russia Talks on Ending Ukraine War, NYT Reports https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/10/05/lukoil-s-foreign-asset-sale-becomes-part-of-u-s-russia-talks-on-ending-ukraine-war-nyt-reports
U.S. Peace Negotiations With Russia Could Now Involve Multi-Billion Dollar Lukoil Deal, NYT Reports https://kyivindependent.com/u-s-peace-negotiations-with-russia-could-now-involve-multi-billion-dollar-lukoil-deal-nyt-reports/
US and Israel Strike Iran https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20260228/us-and-israel-strike-iran
Jared Kushner Threatens Legal Action Over Vanity Fair Story Alleging Secret Bank Accounts https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/jared-kushner-vanity-fair-book-legal-threat/
A Billionaire Wanted a Trump Pardon. His Family Gave Alina Habba a $50 Million Deal. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/20/us/politics/julio-herrera-pardon-alina-habba.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
Raskin targets Kushner over alleged foreign money ties The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee is already staking out jurisdiction over Jared Kushner investigations if Democrats take back the House. https://www.ms.now/news/raskin-kushner-alleged-foreign-money-ties

Come one, come all to celebrate the historic 2026 Midterms and dream big for ourselves and the kind of country we want to live in. Join us at today's salon at 4pm ET to celebrate and share what you're hopeful for and how election night went for you in your neck of the woods. 
To celebrate and rebuild, join the Matriarchy Rising Book Tour. Find a stop near you here or in the show notes. This Thursday evening, Andrea will be at Titcomb Bookshop in East Sandwhich, MA, then onto Wellfeet, MA, joined by special guests, then onto Baltimore, MD, New Haven, CT, and NYC. More dates to be announced.
Now that we're recovering from the midterms, look out for an email from Andrea soon if you pre-ordered A Reasonable Guide for Unreasonable Women. (Thank you to everyone who did!) You have until November 24 to pre-order your copy and get a signed book plate and thank you gift. Forward your receipt to GaslitNation@gmail.com -- thank you to everyone supporting the launch of this book and helping raise an army of women and girls and allies who love us.
To join today's salon , register with the link published this morning on Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com -- join our community of listeners there and get bonus shows, all shows ad free, invites to exclusive events, and more. Discounted memberships are available, and on Patreon you can give the gift of membership. Thank you to everyone who supports the show -- we could not make Gaslit Nation without you. 
Matriarchy Rising Book Tour: https://www.andreachalupa.com/unreasonable/

Elie Mystal joins Gaslit Nation to scream with joy and discuss what Democrats must do now to meet the moment. We discuss a leadership challenge to Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, why leadership battles–just like our primaries–are healthy and necessary for democracy, how Democrats must avoid pulling another Merrick Garland while in power, and which fascists we can't wait to see subpoenaed first. 
Elie Mystal is The Nation's justice correspondent and a columnist; host of its legal podcast, Contempt of Court; and author of the weekly newsletter "Elie v. U.S." He is the author of the New York Times best-sellers Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy's Guide to the Constitution and Bad Law: 10 Popular Laws That Are Ruining America.
This is Part I of our discussion. To listen to Part II, where we get into how to tell which Democrats are controlled opposition, why we need to press Ro Khanna and anyone who tolerated the rise of techbro fascism and now wants to become president, why Gavin Newsom can't be trusted, who to impeach and why, Trump's desperation making Stephen Miller chief-of-staff, and so much more, subscribe to Gaslit Nation on Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack – discounted annual memberships are available, and you can give the gift of Gaslit Nation. Get bonus shows, invites to exclusive events, all shows ad free, and more. Thank you to everyone who supports the show–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you. 
Pre-order A Reasonable Guide for Unreasonable Women by November 24 and forward your receipt to GaslitNation@gmail.com. We'll send you a thank-you gift and a signed book plate to make your first-edition personally inscribed. https://www.andreachalupa.com/unreasonable/
Join the Matriarchy Rising Book Tour! 
Titcomb Bookshop in East Sandwich, MA Nov 12 at 6:30pm with Julie DeLaurier of Rise & Resist

Wellfleet Preservation Hall in Wellfleet, MA Nov 14 at 4pm with Julie DeLaurier of Rise & Resist and Dr. Crystal Fleming, author of How to Be Less Stupid About Race

Greedy Reads — Remington in Baltimore,MA Nov 19 at 7pm with Max Weiss of Baltimore Magazine 

Hockessin BookShelf in Hockessin, Delaware Dec 2 at 6:30pm with Olga Lautman of Trump Tyranny Tracker

Possible Futures in New Haven, CT Dec 4 at 6:30pm with Luciana McClure, feminist artist and eductor  

Sullaluna in NYC Dec 6 with Mona Eltahawy, author, Feminism vs Fascism 

Join the Matriarchy is Rising Book Tour here: https://www.andreachalupa.com/unreasonable/

Don't call it a blue wave. It was a rage wave. Americans are united against oligarchy. The status quo is finished. A new, better America is rising from the ashes. That is why we must fight for real leaders who meet the moment, starting with a meaningful leadership challenge to Hakeem Jeffries and Chuch Schumer. No one can lead us in the Congress who takes AIPAC money, which supports a lawless Israel, aligned with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Russia in a transnational crime syndicate against democracy.
The people have spoken. And we're just getting started.

Trump, Kushner, and Netanyahu's war with Iran began with a shadowy alliance that formed in late 2016, following the US election that turned the world upside down. It was driven by two mysterious bank accounts managed in part by Jared Kushner, with a combined $2 billion–a Middle Eastern autocratic slush fund that essentially served as a bribe to the Trump family to get America–the most powerful military in the world–to unleash war on Iran–an enemy of Netanyahu, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) of the UAE, and murderous millennial Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) of Saudi Arabia.  Those are just some of the explosive revelations in investigative journalist Matthew Cole's new must-read book Princes and Thieves: Jared Kushner and Mohamed bin Zayed's Secret Plot to Remake the Middle East.
With Trump furious at his ex-lawyer Alina Baba essentially selling a pardon for $50 million, and not cutting him in on the deal–a sin in Trump world where you've got to pay to play–Trump must have known about Kushner's $2 billion secret bank accounts from Middle Eastern autocratic leaders who treated Kushner like their unregistered foreign agent in Trump's White House. 
In Part I of our discussion with Matthew Cole, we discuss:
Jared Kushner was in massive debt over his family's vanity purchase of 666 5th Avenue, and therefore a major national security risk, when he managed his father-in-law's campaign for president in 2016 and entered the White House.  

In fact, several core members of the Trump campaign were deeply in debt or on shaky ground financially when they decided to unite forces and win the White House in 2016 with the Kremlin's very illegal help. In power, they all got insanely rich through corruption and lawlessness thanks to financial deals with the most powerful and imperialist autocrats running the Middle East: the UAE and Saudi Arabia. 

How the sex crimes in Jared Kushner's family mirror those of the families that run the UAE and Saudi Arabia, autocratic regimes Kushner would join forces with. 

Why George Nader, a notorious pedophile, was key to the operation of connecting the UAE and Saudi Arabia with Kushner and Trump.

Princes and Thieves unearths the crimes carried out in the shadows during Trump's first term, giving us greater insight in the crimes and corruption carried out in the open today during Trump's second. This discussion, along with Part II running next week, also provides important insights into how to hold Kushner accountable, and how to prevent another Trump regime. This is a book and a conversation you're not going to want to miss.
Gaslit Nation's episode on the midterms is running later this week.
Thank you to everyone who makes Gaslit Nation possible. The oligarchy has chilled the mainstream media into complicit silence. That is why Gaslit Nation exists: to give voice to urgent and important bombshell reports like Princes and Thieves. We are the safe haven for investigations that corporate media and their lawyers are too afraid to reveal. Your support keeps our work going. Show your support with a discounted membership at Patreon.com/Gaslit and GaslitNation.Substack.com, and join our community of listeners, get bonus shows, ad free listening, invites to exclusive events, and more. We could not make this show without our paid listeners, especially in these difficult times. 
Show Notes:
Want a plan to bash the patriarchy? Live your most creative life and help build a better world with Andrea's new book, A Reasonable Guide for Unreasonable Women: 20 Steps to Find Your Purpose and Power in a World on Fire: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/807202/a-reasonable-guide-for-unreasonable-women-by-andrea-chalupa/
Princes and Thieves: Jared Kushner and Mohamed bin Zayed's Secret Plot to Remake the Middle East, by Matthew Cole https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Princes-and-Thieves/Matthew-Cole/9781668095324
What you need to know about 666 Fifth Avenue https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-666-fifth-avenue/
"Princes and Thieves" Author Matthew Cole on Jared Kushner & the "Secret Plot to Remake Middle East" https://www.democracynow.org/2026/11/2/matthew_cole_jared_kushner_book
Jared Kushner Threatens Legal Action Over Vanity Fair Story Alleging Secret Bank Accounts https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/jared-kushner-vanity-fair-book-legal-threat/
Jared Kushner's Phone Was Hacked. It Exposed an Alleged $2 Billion Foreign Money Web  https://dailycaller.com/2026/10/23/jared-kushner-phone-hacked-foreign-money-web-united-arab-emirates-saudi-matthew-cole/
How Kushner Conducted Foreign Policy for Profit https://business-standard.com/book/how-kushner-conducted-foreign-policy-for-profit-126110100856_1.html
Raskin Urges Kushner to Recuse Himself From Negotiations Amid Book's Allegations https://truthout.org/video/raskin-urges-kushner-to-recuse-himself-from-negotiations-amid-books-allegations/
Susan Rice Told House Investigators Why She Unmasked Trump Officials  https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/13/politics/susan-rice-house-investigators-unmasked-trump-officials
Kushners Unload 666 Fifth Ave. to Brookfield in 99-Year Lease https://fortune.com/2018/08/04/kushners-666-fifth-avenue-lease
House Democrats Investigate Mysterious Qatar-Linked Cash Infusion That Bailed Out Kushner Building https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/house-democrats-investigate-mysterious-qatar-linked-cash-infusion-bailed
Mueller Probe Witness Gets 10-Year Sentence on Child Porn, Abuse Charges https://news.yahoo.com/mueller-probe-witness-gets-10-180948775.html
Mueller Witness Pleads Guilty in Illegal Scheme to Funnel UAE Money to Hillary Clinton's 2016 Campaign https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/?p=1532055
Lukoil's Foreign Asset Sale Becomes Part of U.S.–Russia Talks on Ending Ukraine War, NYT Reports https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/10/05/lukoil-s-foreign-asset-sale-becomes-part-of-u-s-russia-talks-on-ending-ukraine-war-nyt-reports
U.S. Peace Negotiations With Russia Could Now Involve Multi-Billion Dollar Lukoil Deal, NYT Reports https://kyivindependent.com/u-s-peace-negotiations-with-russia-could-now-involve-multi-billion-dollar-lukoil-deal-nyt-reports/
US and Israel Strike Iran https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20260228/us-and-israel-strike-iran
Jared Kushner Threatens Legal Action Over Vanity Fair Story Alleging Secret Bank Accounts https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/jared-kushner-vanity-fair-book-legal-threat/ 
A Billionaire Wanted a Trump Pardon. His Family Gave Alina Habba a $50 Million Deal. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/20/us/politics/julio-herrera-pardon-alina-habba.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
Raskin targets Kushner over alleged foreign money ties The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee is already staking out jurisdiction over Jared Kushner investigations if Democrats take back the House. https://www.ms.now/news/raskin-kushner-alleged-foreign-money-ties