Book Review: ‘Princes and Thieves,’ by Matthew Cole
Simon and Schuster accelerated the release of Matthew Cole's book, Princes and Thieves: Jared Kushner and Mohamed bin Zayed's Secret Plot to Remake the Middle East, after an explosive excerpt appeared in Vanity Fair. The publication details allegations involving billions in transfers and financial ties to influence Middle East policy. Jared Kushner's legal team has denied the claims and threatened to sue over the report. Donald Trump also blasted the reporting as fake news. The accelerated release brought the book to retail channels ahead of its original schedule.
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- ✓ Simon and Schuster moved up the publication date of Matthew Cole's book by two days to October 25, 2026.
- ✓ Donald Trump and Jared Kushner have pushed back against the book's allegations, calling them false.
What changed
Simon and Schuster moved the publication date of the book forward by two days following intense public interest sparked by a Vanity Fair excerpt.
Live updates
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Publisher Moves Up Release of Matthew Cole Book on Jared Kushner
Simon and Schuster accelerated the release of Matthew Cole's book, Princes and Thieves: Jared Kushner and Mohamed bin Zayed's Secret Plot to Remake the Middle East, after an explosive excerpt appeared in Vanity Fair. The publication details allegations involving billions in transfers and financial ties to influence Middle East policy. Jared Kushner's legal team has denied the claims and threatened to sue over the report. Donald Trump also blasted the reporting as fake news. The accelerated release brought the book to retail channels ahead of its original schedule.
Why it matters
The controversy stems from investigative reporting examining foreign financial influences on American diplomacy during the Trump administration. Matthew Cole's book focuses on secret plots and financial maneuvers involving Jared Kushner and foreign leaders. The resulting fallout includes sharp denials from the subjects and legal threats directed at the publishers.
What is confirmed
- Simon and Schuster moved up the publication date of Matthew Cole's book by two days to October 25, 2026.
- Donald Trump and Jared Kushner have pushed back against the book's allegations, calling them false.
Still unconfirmed
- Foreign slush funds were set up to influence Jared Kushner's Middle East role and U.S. policy.
- Proxies channeled $3.5 million in illegal funding into Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.
What to watch next
- Further legal actions or lawsuits filed by Jared Kushner's legal team regarding the book's allegations.
- Additional sales figures and distribution metrics following the early release of the book.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (25)
- www.nytimes.com — The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos
- Vanity Fair — The Art of the Deal: Jared Kushner’s Hacked Phone Revealed More Than $700 Million in Transfers
- CBS News — Jared Kushner pushes back on report involving hacked phone, spies, billion-dollar transfer
- Forbes — Trump Blasts Vanity Fair Over ‘Fake News’ On Jared Kushner’s Alleged Undisclosed Foreign Bank Accounts
- Newsweek — Donald Trump Responds to $2 Billion Jared Kushner Allegation: ‘Totally False’
- Status — Vanity Fair's Kushner Conundrum
- KOMO — Jared Kushner responds to article alleging he had access to foreign bank accounts
- The New York Times — Book Review: ‘Princes and Thieves,’ by Matthew Cole
- TheWrap — Jon Stewart Is Thrown When Journalist Starts Interview With Jared Kushner's Denial: 'Am I in Trouble Now?'
- The New Republic — Jared Kushner Got Secretary of State Fired After Dictator Paid Him Off
- www.theguardian.com — New book makes fiery claims about Jared Kushner’s finances in ...
- reason.com — New book says Jared Kushner funneled money to Middle East ...
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