Vanity Fair report alleges Azerbaijani bank facilitated secret financial transfers linked to Jared Kushner

A new Vanity Fair publication has raised serious questions about the alleged use of Azerbaijani banks in secret financial arrangements involving Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and former senior White House adviser.

The October 22 article, adapted from investigative journalist Matthew Cole’s forthcoming book Princes and Thieves, alleges that Dutch military intelligence gained access to information from Kushner’s iPhone and discovered unusual financial activity involving bank accounts in the United Arab Emirates.

Cole reports that approximately $750 million, originating from Saudi and Emirati sources, was routed through an Azerbaijani bank into an account at First Abu Dhabi Bank.

The account was reportedly controlled by an Emirati foundation linked to covert government operations, with Kushner allegedly holding signatory authority.

The publication also describes a separate alleged transfer of approximately $1 billion through Azerbaijan to an Israeli government bank account.

According to Cole, Azerbaijani banks were used as intermediaries for major international transfers, potentially obscuring the original sources and destinations of the funds.

The allegations raise questions about financial transparency and possible undisclosed foreign influence during Kushner’s White House tenure.

Kushner’s lawyers have categorically denied the allegations, including claims that he had access to or knowledge of the accounts described. Former U.S. ambassador David Friedman also rejected allegations concerning his involvement.

The claims remain disputed and have not been established by a judicial finding.

Nevertheless, the report places Azerbaijan’s banking sector at the centre of a potentially significant international controversy involving financial secrecy, foreign policy and political influence.