Jared And Ivanka ‘Exfoliate’ Friends As Social Circle Pushes Back Against Trump
Image by Getty Images
Jared Kushner has lost so many friends since he became a close adviser to President Trump that he has even coined a term for it: exfoliation.
“We live in a world and time that are interesting,” he is said to have told investor Wiley Cerilli. “I am seeing which friendships break in the wind.”
Kushner said he was happy to “exfoliate” pals who would not remain loyal to him in the face of political differences.
Cerilli was one of those axed from Kushner’s inner circle, according to a story in Business Insider. He asked Kushner to withdraw last year from a shared business venture due to Trump’s divisive rhetoric, and the remarks come from a phone transcript that Cerilli kept when he made the request.
Other liberal friends have ditched Kushner, now a White House senior adviser.
“I’m not planning on being friends,” one ex-pal told Business Insider. “I don’t think I’m going to be over it… I feel really, really upset about what they’re doing.”
Many had placed their hope in Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, to push the president on a more moderate path, especially on social issues. So far there’s been scant evidence of that.
Kushner has taken a sanguine attitude about losing his ex-friends over politics. An ally quoted Kushner as saying, “If you’re doing well in politics, only 45% of the people hate you.”
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
