President Trump Makes a Joke About Ivanka and Jared Kushner’s Marriage During Historic Knesset Speech: ‘This Wasn’t In the Cards for Me’

by Charlie Lankston

President Donald Trump offered up some rare insight into daughter Ivanka Trump's marriage to Jared Kushner as the couple watched him make a historic speech at the Knesset in celebration of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

Donald Trump touched down in Israel on Monday morning as it was revealed that Hamas had freed the final 20 living hostages who have been held in Gaza for more than two years.

While addressing the Israeli parliament, Trump, 79, praised his daughter and son-in-law's close connection to the country, while paying tribute to the role that Kushner, 44, played in helping to broker the Abraham Accords.

"Let me also give a special thanks to someone who truly loves Israel, in fact, loves it so much that ...my daughter converted [to Judaism]," he said, referring to 43-year-old Ivanka's decision to convert to the Jewish faith ahead of her 2009 wedding to Kushner, who mouthed "thank you" to the president in response.

"I didn't know this was going to happen," Trump continued, seemingly referring to the celebration of the U.S.-brokered peace deal, "and Ivanka is here."

JERUSALEM - OCTOBER 13: Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are recognized by President Donald Trump as he speaks in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on October 13, 2025 in Jerusalem. President Trump is visiting the country hours after Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023, part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. (Photo by Evan Vucci - Pool/Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner traveled to Israel to celebrate the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. (Getty Images)
 U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on October 13, 2025 in Jerusalem. President Trump is visiting the country hours after Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023, part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza
While addressing the Israeli parliament, President Donald Trump opened up about his daughter's marriage to Kushner, referencing her decision to convert to Judaism ahead of their 2009 wedding. (Getty Images)

Addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump added: "Bibi, you do know this was not in the cards for me."

The president then went on to crack a joke about his daughter's marriage: Ivanka "is so happy and [Jared] is so happy—at least I think they're happy. If they're not, we have a big story!"

Kushner and Ivanka traveled to Israel ahead of Trump, with the first daughter sharing a heartfelt tribute to her father and her husband on Instagram when the peace deal was confirmed.

"I want to thank my father for his unbending leadership in bringing real hope for lasting peace to a region that has known so much pain and heartbreak," she wrote, while sharing a photo of herself and Kushner with the president.

Ivanka went on to spotlight the role that Kushner and Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, played in brokering the accords.

"Deeply proud of my husband and Steve Witkoff, whose vision and perseverance remind us that even in the darkest moments, progress is possible. Their tireless work has given new hope to families who dream of safety, dignity, and opportunity," she added.

"I won’t fully celebrate until every hostage has been returned and peace prevails. But I hold on to hope that one day we will dance again, and maybe even dance together. Praying for healing, unity, and lasting peace."

According to Axios, Kushner and Witkoff helped to push the peace deal over the line by holding an in-person meeting with Hamas leaders to reassure them that Trump would not allow Israel to resume the war after the hostages had been released.

Ivanka Trump
Ivanka and Kushner traveled to Israel from Miami, where they reside in an astonishing megamansion on Indian Creek Island. (Realtor.com)
Ivanka Trump
The duo purchased the property for $24 million in April 2021—and have since spent millions renovating it. (Realtor.com)
Ivanka Trump
The renovations took more than two years. (Realtor.com)
Ivanka Trump
The couple's plans for the property shed much of its neoclassical charm, making way for a modern and lavish look. (Realtor.com)

The outlet reports that the meeting took place at the Four Seasons resort in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where Trump will co-chair a summit on Gaza this week, having traveled there from Israel, with his daughter and son-in-law in tow.

Ivanka shared a video from Air Force One during the brief flight to Egypt, captioning it: "POTUS arriving in Egypt."

It is unclear how much time Ivanka and her husband will spend in Egypt. However, it is thought that their children—Arabella, 14, Joseph, 11, and Theodore, 9—have remained at home in Miami while their parents are traveling.

The couple may race to return home to their Miami mansion by Oct. 14, when Joseph will celebrate his 12th birthday.

Kushner and Ivanka have been based in Miami since early 2021, when they—like many of the Trump family—decided to relocate to the Sunshine State after Trump's first presidency came to an end.

The couple initially moved into a stunning condo inside the luxurious Arte Surfside building, where they lived with their three kids while waiting for work to be completed on their enormous mansion on Indian Creek Island.

After Ivanka and Kushner moved out, the penthouse apartment was sold for the very impressive price of $17 million.

However, that price pales in comparison to the $24 million that the duo paid for their megamansion on Indian Creek Island, which is better known as "Billionaires Bunker" due to the extraordinary net worth of its residents.

The couple carried out extensive work on the property—razing the existing six-bedroom, 8.5-bathroom estate to build a brand-new megamansion. Tom Brady and Jeff Bezos both own homes in the same exclusive enclave. 

Instagram/Ivanka Trump
Ivanka regularly shares glimpses of the home on social media. (Instagram/Ivanka Trump )
Instagram/Ivanka Trump
It is unclear when Ivanka and Kushner will return to the U.S. However, their son Joseph will celebrate his birthday on Oct. 14. (Instagram/Ivanka Trump )
Ivanka has taken a significant step back from politics since her father's first presidency came to an end. (IvankaTrump/Instagram)

Ivanka and Kushner purchased their compound from billionaire Alex Meruelo and his wife, Liset, in April 2021, according to records. They are understood to have spent millions more on building their new dwelling.

It was described in its original listing as a "magnificent, remodeled neoclassical masterpiece."

However, the couple's plans for the property shed much of its neoclassical charm, making way for a modern and lavish look.

The exterior was given a coat of gleaming white paint, and edgy black trim replaced the wooden accents on the facade.

Glimpses of the interior, which Trump has shared on Instagram, reveal an equally modern transformation, with a more industrial vibe replacing the classic design elements.

However, some of the bones of the original structure remain, including the 26-foot-high ceilings, the open living areas, and the opulent double staircase.

The couple also retained the large water feature at the front of the property. In the lavish backyard, they ripped out and then reinstalled the swimming pool.

According to the plans that were released by Miami-Dade County, the couple installed a chef's kitchen next to the dining room and outfitted the primary suite with double closets and a beautiful spa bathroom.

The pool cabana out back was also given a total makeover, which saw a sauna, steam room, and cold plunge pool installed.

Eric Young

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