Bill de Blasio is a consistent critic of President Trump, but he and his deputy Alicia Glen have lots of nice things to say to his son-in-law Jared Kushner, according to emails obtained by Politico.
“Jared, I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and a little break from the swirl of activity these last few weeks have brought,” de Blasio wrote Kushner. The email came just weeks after the election of Trump, whom de Blasio has compared to dictators and called “profoundly racist.”
The two exchanged a number of pleasantries like this until March of this year, according to the report, with much ado about getting coffee sometime.
“I can only imagine how tough your schedule has become, and I’m happy to accommodate whatever time and place works for you. Much appreciated — Bill.” They also messaged about connecting the mayor with Mick Cornett, the Republican mayor of Oklahoma City.
Alicia Glen, deputy mayor for housing and economic development, also kept up a correspondence with the senior White House adviser when he was still just a real estate executive, and did him a favor by checking in on a community board matter for a friend of Kushner’s named Sandeep.
Although not reported in the Politico piece, the “Sandeep” appears to be GGP CEO Sandeep Mathrani, a member of Collegiate School’s board of trustees. The school outraged Community Board 7 when it announced it would renege on building 55 units of affordable housing along with its new Riverside Center campus, instead requesting to invest $50 million in a site nearly 50 blocks north.
Glen and Kushner also corresponded in 2015 on the unresolved extension of the 421a tax cut for developers. Glen sent Kushner a letter on the matter that she wished him to sign, but Kushner had an even better idea: publish a pro-421a editorial in the newspaper he owned, the New York Observer.
“First off — thank you so much for getting involved in the issue with my friend Sandeep.” Kushner wrote. “He said you did a masterful job helping to create a true win win win for everyone involved!!! He was super appreciative and complimentary of you.”
On the 421a op-ed, Kushner wrote: “I think this was more effective than a letter :)”
“Great piece!” Glen replied.
In one instance, Kushner’s busy schedule got in the way of plans he and Glen had to meet. Kushner had two weeks of jury duty.
“Thank you for your citizenship!” Glen wrote.
A representative for Kushner did not immediately respond to The Real Deal‘s request for comment. [Politico] — Will Parker