Trump arrives in Riyadh hoping to make big deals
At the same time, the Trump family is also expanding its business ventures across the Middle East, in a departure from the president’s first term. A deal was finalized last month for a Trump-branded golf course near Doha, Qatar, in partnership with a Saudi Arabian firm, highlighting the Trump Organization’s international ambitions — and raising concerns from critics about profiting from the presidency.
In Qatar, Trump is expected to deliver a speech and speak with American troops at the Al Udeid Air Base, NBC News reported. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick were the two Cabinet secretaries accompanying Trump as he left Washington on Monday, along with senior White House staff.
Also on the agenda will be discussions with the Qatari government over the royal family’s gift of the plane. Worth about $400 million, it has been called a “flying palace,” sparking debate in Washington about whether the gift could run afoul of the emoluments clause of the Constitution, which forbids the acceptance of foreign gifts without congressional approval. In response, the White House said that the administration intends to abide by all ethics and transparency rules surrounding the gift.
Asked about his plan to accept the plane, Trump described it as a “contribution” that the U.S. can’t turn down: “I think it’s a great gesture from Qatar. I appreciate it very much. I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, ‘No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane.’ But it was, I thought it was a great gesture.”
He said that the plane would go to his presidential library when he leaves office. “I wouldn’t be using it,” he added.
Conflicts loom over economic and financial deals
Before leaving Washington, Trump announced the return of an American hostage held by Hamas, Edan Alexander, and said he is hoping that Hamas releases more hostages on his Middle East trip.
And the trip comes with serious diplomatic opportunities, said Miller, the Carnegie fellow, highlighting the potential for Trump to address major regional issues, setting his approach apart from predecessors.
“There are issues in play which did not exist in [Trump’s first term], which offer the president actually quite remarkable opportunities neither Obama nor Biden took on the Israeli-Palestinian issue and Iran,” added Miller, a veteran diplomat who has advised Republican and Democratic administrations on the Middle East.
