Trump’s Crony Diplomacy Is Tanking U.S. Credibility and Profiting His Inner Circle

Donald Trump has outsourced America’s most sensitive diplomatic efforts to his son-in-law Jared Kushner and business partner Steve Witkoff—neither of whom have any real diplomatic experience. Instead of relying on seasoned professionals, Trump’s administration has turned foreign policy into a marketplace where access and influence are bought and sold.

Kushner, who helped broker the Abraham Accords, now runs a private-equity firm funded by billions from Gulf monarchies, including Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. This financial dependence raises serious questions about his ability to negotiate honestly with Iran or pursue peace in the region. His “New Gaza” plan treats reconstruction like a real-estate deal, ignoring sovereignty and human rights.

Witkoff’s family crypto firm, World Liberty Financial, has landed lucrative deals with Pakistan, a country deeply involved in U.S.-Iran negotiations. The overlap of business interests and diplomacy blurs lines and fuels corruption. Both Kushner and Witkoff avoid transparency and congressional oversight by holding unofficial “special envoy” titles, sidestepping ethics rules and Senate confirmation.

Trump’s cronies aren’t limited to these two. His sons have joined drone companies selling weapons to Gulf states, and allies like Oracle’s Larry Ellison profit from Trump’s forced TikTok deal. Insider trading rumors swirl around market moves tied to Trump’s Iran statements. Yet, with a compliant Republican Congress, these abuses go largely unchecked.

This crony diplomacy damages U.S. credibility and weakens global leadership. When foreign governments must pay to play or curry favor with Trump’s inner circle, America’s role as a reliable partner and champion of the rule of law is destroyed. The “Board of Peace,” a pay-to-play geopolitical club, epitomizes this new era where access costs billions.

The consequences are clear: America is less respected, less trusted, and less effective on the world stage. And the rot starts at the top.