'My daughter converted': Trump jokes about Ivanka and Kushner during Knesset peace speech | Watch

Trump cracks joke about state of Ivanka's marriage to Jared Kushner

US President Donald Trump lightened his address to Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, with a joke about his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, who accompanied him to Israel during the US-brokered ceasefire with Hamas.

“Let me also give a very special thanks to someone who truly loves Israel, in fact loves it so much that my daughter converted,” Trump told lawmakers, prompting cameras to pan to Kushner, who mouthed “thank you.”

Trump added, “Bibi, you do know this was not in the cards for me. She is so happy and he is so happy—at least I think they’re happy. If they’re not we have a big story,” before clarifying that the couple “have a great marriage… they’re best friends and have a very special relationship.”

Trump: "Let me also give a very special thanks to someone who truly loves Israel - in fact, loves it so much that my daughter converted. Ivanka is here.” pic.twitter.com/jytxIcgddE

— Spencer Hakimian (@SpencerHakimian) October 13, 2025

The remarks were met with a standing ovation, giving the summit of world leaders a personal glimpse into the president’s family life amid discussions on peace in the Middle East.

Who is Jared Kushner and his role in the Gaza peace deal? 

Jared Kushner is an American investor, businessman, and former senior advisor to his father-in-law, President Donald Trump. Born in 1981 in Livingston, New Jersey, he is the son of real estate developer Charles Kushner.

Professionally, Kushner took over his family’s real estate business in 2008, serving as CEO until 2017. He also purchased the New York Observer in 2006, transitioning it to an online-only format before selling his stake in 2017. After leaving the White House, he founded the private equity firm Affinity Partners, which focuses on investments in American and Israeli companies.

He played a key role in the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in October 2025. Serving alongside Trump’s current Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, Kushner helped finalize the agreement that facilitated the release of hostages from Gaza and arranged a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops.

“I have Jared. Find anybody more capable. And we have the A-plus team working on it,” Trump said, praising Kushner’s efforts. Administration officials and allies credited Kushner’s strong relationships in the region with helping Arab negotiators feel comfortable during the talks. A White House official stated that Kushner is expected to remain actively involved in the next phases of the negotiations.