Jared Kushner Says "I Did Not Collude With Russia" After Testifying Before Senate Investigators

WASHINGTON — Jared Kushner testified before senate investigators for nearly two hours on Monday and detailed four contacts with Kremlin-connected Russians over the course of President Trump's campaign and transition into the White House.

After the closed-door hearing on Capitol Hill, Kushner gave a rare — and sort of strange — public address outside the White House where he again denied colluding with Russian officials to tip the election in favor of his father-in-law.

"My name is Jared Kushner. I am senior adviser to president Donald J. Trump," he began the statement. "I did not collude with Russia. Nor do I know of anyone else in the campaign who did so. I had no improper contacts. I have not relied on Russian funds for my businesses."

Kushner said the president "had a better message and ran a smarter campaign," and "that is why he won." He added, "Suggesting otherwise ridicules those who voted for him."

"I have not sought the spotlight," Kushner, a multimillionaire Manhattan real estate investor whose portfolio at the White House includes the high-level job of bringing peace to the Middle East, said.

"First in business, and now in public service, I have always focused on setting and achieving goals, and have left it to others to work on media and public perception," added Kushner, who owned the New York Observer for more than 10 years.

"I have been consistent in saying that I was eager to share any information I have with the investigating bodies, and I have done so today. The record and documents that I have voluntarily provided will show that all of my actions were proper, and occurred in the normal course of events of a very unique campaign," Kushner said, not taking questions from reporters.