Charles Kushner Leaves New York Citing Antisemitism by Mayor Adams and Wife

Charles Kushner, the U.S. Ambassador to France and father of Jared Kushner, announced he is relocating from New York to Florida, citing what he describes as blatant antisemitism by New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his wife, Rema Dawaji. In an interview with the New York Post on Thursday, Kushner criticized the mayor and his spouse sharply, stating he refuses to "pay taxes and live in a city with a blatantly antisemitic mayor and his antisemitic wife." He also expressed disdain for the voters who supported Adams.

Kushner emphasized that his decision was driven more by hostility toward Jews and Israel than by Adams' socialist policies. He pointed to Adams' refusal to participate in a pro-Israel parade, his call to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on war crime charges, his support for Columbia University protesters who allegedly celebrated a Hamas attack, and statements by Adams' wife that Kushner claims praised the October 7 events.

Kushner, a veteran real estate developer and head of a prominent family real estate business, also criticized Adams' economic messages, defending billionaire Ken Griffin against Adams' proposed tax on luxury property owners who do not reside full-time in the city. Despite moving to Florida, Kushner plans to keep his New York apartment and pay the new tax but fears Adams' tenure could harm the city. Kushner was convicted in 2004 of tax evasion and other charges but was later pardoned by then-President Donald Trump. His son Jared Kushner served as a senior White House advisor and is Trump's son-in-law.