In the ever complicating web stemming from the White House into seemingly everything scandalous, Philadelphia sports finally have a direct tie to Donald Trump.
According to reports from the New York Times, Billionare and Sixers principle owner Joshua Harris gave Trump staffer and son in law Jared Kushner’s company a huge loan in 2017.
The loan was for $184 million and helped Kushner’s Chicago-based real estate firm refinance a mortgage.
What’s wrong with that? On the surface nothing. Harris is worth $3.5 billion and is the founder of Apollo Global Management. But beyond the surface something is fishy.
The loan amount was more than triple Apollo’s usual figure, the Times says. It also came after Harris met with White House officials, including Kushner, to discuss financial and trade policy. A person close to the situation said they did not discuss Kushner’s loan.
It was confirmed, however, that Harris was considered for a White House job but the position never materialized.
The reason why typically — until the Trump administration — business dealings, ties and involvement were severed before employees took jobs in the White House was to avoid these kinds of corrupt-seeming situations.
According to the Times, “Apollo has sought ways to benefit from the White House’s possible infrastructure plan. And its executives, including Mr. Harris, had tens of millions of dollars personally at stake in the tax overhaul that was making its way through Washington last year.”
Harris has been seen more often than not courtside rooting on the Sixers, which are ascending to playoff contention after years of tanking. Whether the loan and the benefits Harris’ company experienced will lead to anything more is unknown.
