Trump Begins Building Transition Team With Jewish Son-in-law, Chris Christie

Jared Kushner, who is married to daughter Ivanka Trump, will only serve in an unofficial capacity, while NJ governor will head the group if the billionaire wins the presidency.

JTA

Reuters

Doina Chiacu

May 9, 2016

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Jared Kushner (L) with his wife Ivanka Trump, and the Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie.Credit: Larry Busacca, AFP and Chuck Burton, AP

JTA

Reuters

Doina Chiacu

May 9, 2016

Presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has asked his Jewish son-in-law, Jared Kushner to join New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in planning for a possible White House transition team.

Trump's campaign said the candidate was moving into a general election mode and "implementing an infrastructure capable of securing a victory including making key hires, building a finance operation to benefit the Republican Party and unifying the party by working with several Republican leaders now voicing their support for Mr. Trump and his candidacy."

Kushner, who is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, would not be involved in the actual transition but will be asked to provide a “blueprint for a transition team” should Trump win the elected in November, The New York Times reported, citing what it called two people briefed on his new assignment.

Kushner will work with campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and senior adviser Paul Manafort to determine the prospective team, according to the Times.

On Monday Trump finalized the first member of the team, annoucing he has chosen New Jersey's Christie, a rival turned ally, to lead his White House transition team as he prepares for the general election campaign.

Trump added Christie will oversee an "extensive team."

"Governor Christie is an extremely knowledgeable and loyal person with the tools and resources to put together an unparalleled Transition Team, one that will be prepared to take over the White House when we win in November," Trump said in a statement.

Christie endorsed Trump after dropping out of the 2016 Republican primary race in February and has been campaigning with the New York billionaire.

Kushner reportedly wrote Trump’s well-received speech delivered at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference in March. The Times reported that he and his father-in-law “have a close relationship and are often in contact, talking informally about the campaign.”