Jeffries and Kushner Hold Private Meeting Before Midterms
Listen to the story
Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House of Representatives, has had a private meeting with Jared Kushner. Kushner is a former senior adviser to President Trump.
The meeting took place as attacks between political parties increased ahead of the midterm elections. These elections will decide who controls Congress next.
News of the meeting caused a strong backlash from left-wing activists within the Democratic Party. Many of them felt Jeffries should not talk with someone so closely tied to Trump.
Several Democrats reportedly reacted with disbelief, saying they were incredulous that their party's leader would hold such a meeting at a sensitive political moment.
Kushner has long been seen as an important figure inside Republican and Trump-related political circles, even though he does not currently hold an official government job.
Details about what Jeffries and Kushner actually discussed have not been fully revealed. The meeting was described as private, and neither side has given a full public account.
The story comes at a time when tension between the two major U.S. parties is especially high, with the midterm campaign season bringing sharp public criticism on both sides.
It remains unclear whether Jeffries will address the criticism directly or explain his reasons for meeting with Kushner. Democratic voters and commentators continue to discuss the news.
Vocabulary10 words
- private
- kept secret from most people
- midterm elections
- U.S. elections held partway through a president's four-year term
- backlash
- a strong negative reaction from many people
- activists
- people who campaign for political or social change
- incredulous
- unable to believe something; very surprised
- adviser
- a person who gives expert advice
- Congress
- the U.S. law-making body, made of the House and Senate
- circles
- a group of people connected by interests or work
- tension
- a feeling of stress between people or groups
- commentators
- people who give opinions about news events
Quiz
Answer key
1. Top Democrat in the House of Representatives 2. He met privately with Jared Kushner, a Trump-linked figure 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House of Representatives, has had a private meeting with Jared Kushner. Kushner is a former senior _____ to President Trump.
The meeting took place as attacks between political parties increased ahead of the _____ elections. These elections will decide who controls Congress next.
News of the meeting caused a strong _____ from left-wing activists within the Democratic Party. Many of them felt Jeffries should not talk with someone so closely tied to Trump.
Several Democrats reportedly reacted with disbelief, saying they were _____ that their party's leader would hold such a meeting at a sensitive political moment.
Kushner has long been seen as an important figure inside Republican and Trump-related political _____, even though he does not currently hold an official government job.
Details about what Jeffries and Kushner actually discussed have not been fully revealed. The meeting was described as _____, and neither side has given a full public account.
The story comes at a time when _____ between the two major U.S. parties is especially high, with the midterm campaign season bringing sharp public criticism on both sides.
It remains unclear whether Jeffries will address the criticism directly or explain his reasons for meeting with Kushner. Democratic voters and _____ continue to discuss the news.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think some Democrats reacted so strongly to this meeting?
- Should political leaders meet privately with people from opposing parties? Why or why not?
- How might this meeting affect Jeffries' relationship with his own party?
- What questions would you ask Jeffries or Kushner about their meeting?
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