Saudi-backed EA deal brings Kushner’s Persian Gulf business ties into focus

The acquisition of video game giant Electronic Arts (EA) by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), private equity firm Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners has highlighted the expanding business ties between President Donald Trump's son-in-law and Gulf state investors.

The $55 billion deal gives Saudi Arabia a larger presence in the global gaming industry and adds to a series of investments involving Affinity Partners, the private equity firm Kushner founded after leaving the Trump administration in 2021.

Kushner developed close relations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during Donald Trump’s first presidency, when he served as a senior White House adviser.

After leaving office, Kushner established Affinity Partners, which quickly secured major investments from Persian Gulf-backed funds.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund became one of the firm’s largest investors, while reports have also indicated that investment entities from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar provided significant funding to the firm.

These business ties have drawn intense scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers.

In 2023, The Washington Post reported, citing U.S. officials, that Trump and Kushner leveraged relationships developed during their time in government as they returned to the private sector.

Democratic lawmakers have since launched inquiries into these financial links, arguing that the scale of foreign investment into businesses connected to the Trump and Kushner families following their government roles raises serious concerns over potential conflicts of interest.

Lawmakers have specifically questioned whether these financial relationships could create implicit obligations toward foreign governments, given Kushner’s central role in shaping US policy toward Saudi Arabia during the Trump administration.

Kushner’s firm and Saudi Arabia in momentous $55 billion buyout

Video game maker Electronic Arts is going private in a $55 billion deal that’s funded by Saudi Arabia and a Jared Kusher-backed investment firm.

The EA acquisition is the latest major investment involving Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, which has aggressively expanded into global sports, entertainment, and gaming as part of its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.

Electronic Arts, known for popular franchises including EA Sports FC, The Sims, and Mass Effect, is entering a deal that analysts say could fundamentally reshape the company’s financial strategy.

Reports indicate the acquisition involves approximately $20 billion in debt financing, with JPMorgan Chase advising on the transaction.

The deal marks the largest leveraged buyout (LBO) in history, prompting analysts to raise concerns about the resulting debt burden and its potential impact on EA’s future operations, including investment in new projects and the maintenance of its existing franchises.

Additionally, Jared Kushner’s brother, Joshua Kushner, has expanded into sports-related investments through his venture capital firm, including efforts to attract capital into major sporting properties.

Ultimately, the EA deal adds another chapter to the growing financial entanglement between Saudi Arabia’s investment ambitions and businesses linked to Jared Kushner following his tenure as a senior White House adviser.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir