This week, Mr Kushner stepped further into the Kissinger role, delivering an extraordinary diplomatic victory for Mr Trump, his father-in-law.
With Steve Witkoff, the US president’s Middle East envoy, he put the finishing touches to a deal that will free the remaining hostages in Gaza, pull Israeli troops from parts of the territory, and could reset relations throughout the region.
It came at the end of a gruelling 20-hour day of negotiations. JD Vance, the vice-president, took delight in pointing out the hardships they had to endure, including a night in a budget hotel.
“What Jared never told anyone is that he also stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night,” Mr Vance posted.
Mr Kushner and Mr Witkoff – both New York property developers with limited experience in international affairs – were sent for the final stage of talks to end the war.
Although Mr Kushner has been more distant during Mr Trump’s second term than his first, the peace deal cements his reputation as the indispensable fixer. A modern-day Kissinger.
Yet the differences run deep.
Mr Kushner had no formal experience in government or foreign policy when he took on an unpaid role in Mr Trump’s first administration. His main qualification was that he was married to Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter.
He came from wealth – his father Charles was a billionaire real-estate developer and donor to pro-Israel causes.
Mr Kushner was quickly immersed in the cause, even giving up his bed and sleeping in the basement so that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, could spend the night at their home in Livingston, New Jersey.
