Report: Kushner Pulled Strings to Clinch Last-Minute Trade Deal With Mexico

BEHIND-THE-SCENES

Updated Aug. 28, 2018 5:00AM EDT / Published Aug. 27, 2018 11:57PM EDT

David Lawder/Reuters

President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, reportedly pulled the strings to clinch a new trade deal with Mexico announced by the White House on Monday. Sources cited by The Wall Street Journal said Kushner and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer worked with Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray to secure an agreement before a new Mexican president takes office. Kushner is said to have used his close relationship to Trump as leverage in negotiations while also building up personal relationships with Mexican officials, particularly Videgaray. The deal that was so long in the making culminated in a clumsy White House press conference on Monday, with repeated attempts to reach Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto by phone failing. When Nieto was finally on the line, he and Trump shared an awkward exchange. “I’m extending you an affectionate hug,” Nieto said, to which Trump replied: “A hug from you would be very nice.”

Read it at The Wall Street Journal

Hackers Steal Large Sum From Anti-Trump Super PAC

The Lincoln Project said hackers set their eyes on a committee vendor, “producing authentic-looking invoices”

Kanye West Wants to Open a Porn Studio: Report

A rep for the embattled artist told TMZ that he’s in “advanced talks” to set up the project as part of his Yeezy company.

Several Crew Injured in Crash on Set of Eddie Murphy Film

Eddie Murphy and the film’s other stars, Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson, weren’t on the set at the time.

‘Giant’ Coyote Spotted Prowling Central Park Spooks Joggers

Brett Cohn said the animal stopped him “in his tracks” on Saturday morning.

Black British ‘Homeland’ Actor Clarifies Blackface Comments

David Harewood initially said actors should be able to play any character, even in blackface, as long as it’s “good.”

Scholz to Putin: Keep Kant’s Name Out of Your Mouth

Olaf Scholz says the Russian president doesn’t have the “slightest right” to cite Imannuel Kant.

Marathoner Sips Glass of Wine at Every Mile, Still Finishes

He blindly taste-tested each glass and correctly identified 21 of them.

India’s Modi Slammed for Calling Muslims ‘Infiltrators’

His campaign speech was seen as an ominous warning for India’s religious minorities if he wins a third term this year.

Report: Kushner Pulled Strings to Clinch Last-Minute Trade Deal With Mexico

David Lawder/Reuters