Senator tells Trump to ditch ‘real estate buddy’ and Jared Kushner as Iran war threatens to spiral out of control

August 3, 2026 - 11:07

Senator Mark Kelly is urging President Trump to drop his reliance on close personal allies and family members when it comes to managing the escalating confrontation with Iran. In a pointed statement, Kelly argued that the current team of special envoys, including Jared Kushner, is not equipped to handle the delicate diplomacy needed to pull the United States back from the brink of a wider war.

Kelly, a former Navy pilot and astronaut, did not hold back. He said the president's approach of leaning on a "real estate buddy" and a son-in-law with no formal foreign policy experience is a dangerous gamble. The senator insisted that the situation in the Middle East is spiraling and that the administration needs seasoned negotiators, not loyalists, to navigate the crisis.

The call comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise. Kelly warned that without a clear and professional strategy, the country could be dragged into a prolonged conflict with no exit strategy. He stressed that the American people deserve leaders who understand the stakes and can act with the necessary seriousness and skill. The senator's remarks add to a growing chorus of concern from both sides of the aisle about the administration's handling of foreign affairs in the region.