The Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD accessed Jared Kushner’s iPhone through a Russian hacker, revealing financial transactions involving hundreds of millions in foreign accounts, though Kushner denies the allegations.
The Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD allegedly gained access to the iPhone of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and former adviser, through a Russian hacker who later worked with Dutch authorities. According to a report by Vanity Fair, the hacker provided access to files from a Russian hacking team, including screenshots of Kushner’s phone, which showed large financial transactions. The MIVD investigated how the Russians accessed the device and discovered a vulnerability in 2018 that allowed them to monitor his activity, though not full control.
The Spy Operation and Its Origins
The Russian hacker, who was arrested in the UK in 2017, later cooperated with the Netherlands, providing the MIVD with data from a Russian hacking group. This included screenshots of Kushner’s iPhone, which revealed bank transfers linked to accounts in the UAE and Azerbaijan. The funds were allegedly tied to diplomatic negotiations between Kushner and Gulf leaders, though the exact purpose remains unclear.
A source cited by Vanity Fair claimed Kushner moved large sums to individuals, including a warlord, a mercenary, and a former hitman. However, Kushner’s legal team has denied these allegations, stating the accounts never existed and that he had no knowledge of the transactions. The report, part of a book set for release on October 27, has not been independently verified by a court.
On February 27, 2019, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Kushner in Ankara to discuss a U.S. peace plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The meeting included Erdogan’s son-in-law, Berat Albayrak, who was then Turkey’s finance minister. This diplomatic engagement demonstrates Kushner’s role in Middle East negotiations during his time in the Trump administration.
The MIVD’s surveillance of Kushner’s financial movements, including his login to a UAE bank account, was part of a broader investigation into potential foreign influence on U.S. policy.
Kushner’s Denial and the Unanswered Questions
Kushner has categorically denied the allegations, with his representatives calling the claims false and misleading. The MIVD has not publicly commented on the matter, and the Dutch government has not confirmed the extent of its involvement. The financial flows, which reportedly originated from UAE and Saudi Arabian entities, raise questions about potential conflicts of interest during Kushner’s tenure in the Trump administration.
As of October 23, 2026, no official resolution has been reached. The MIVD’s actions and the full scope of the financial transactions remain under scrutiny, with Kushner’s legal team preparing to challenge the allegations. The case demonstrates the ongoing tensions between national security, diplomatic dealings, and personal financial interests in high-stakes political environments.