Prime Minister Edi Rama appeared visibly irritated during an interview with American journalist Ines de La Cuetara from the major news network MSNBC, who has been in Albania covering the ongoing protests against the Zvërnec development project.
When asked about allegations of a conflict of interest surrounding the investment in Zvërnec, which involves U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Rama reacted sharply, declaring that “Kushner is making sh*t.”
Asked how ordinary Albanians would benefit from the project, Rama defended the planned luxury resort, saying negotiations would continue and that the investment would ultimately benefit the entire country.
“What does that mean? What does that mean? This is ideological nonsense, because an investment of this scale in tourism aims to build something spectacular and, of course, it is not accessible to everyone, but it generates significant revenue for the whole country because the country benefits greatly,” Rama said.
The journalist then pressed further, asking whether there was a conflict of interest given that Jared Kushner is the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, who is involved in major international negotiations while also connected to billion-dollar business ventures.
Rama responded with visible frustration:
“What conflict of interest? What are you talking about? Jared Kushner is not negotiating anything. He is making sh*t. Once again, you need to understand. When Jared Kushner and Ivanka came here and we started working together, it was not clear whether Trump was going to prison or back to the White House. The project is still being negotiated, and now it is not just Jared Kushner. It also involves Power Holding, one of the largest companies in Qatar, owned by two fantastic brothers from Qatar who are friends of mine. What do you want here? Go and fight Trump in the United States. Don’t come here to fight Trump. It makes no sense,” Rama stated.
The exchange has sparked reactions online, with critics and supporters debating both the Zvërnec investment project and the Prime Minister’s unusually blunt remarks during the interview.
