Trump Gulf Tour begins as President Donald Trump kicks off his first major foreign visit of term two in the Persian Gulf. The four-day trip includes stops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar—three nations where the Trump family holds major business interests.
While framed as a mission for diplomacy and economic cooperation, the visit has reignited scrutiny over how Trump blends personal gain with national leadership.
High-Profile Meetings and Political Goals
Trump is seeking new investments from the Gulf region. The tour follows the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas, allowing the president to tout success in diplomacy and national security.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the goal is “commerce and cultural exchanges,” emphasizing potential deals that “benefit the American people.”
Business on the Agenda
All three countries Trump is visiting are tied to recent Trump Organization ventures:
- In Dubai, the Trump Organization is building a luxury hotel with Saudi developer Dar Global.
- In Jeddah, a second residential tower is underway.
- In Qatar, a Trump-branded golf resort is in progress through a partnership with Qatari Diar, a state-owned developer.
- In Abu Dhabi, a government-backed firm invested $2 billion into World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture co-founded by Zach Witkoff, the son of Trump’s Middle East envoy.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Trump is considering accepting a Boeing 747-8 jet from Qatar’s royal family—a move raising ethical concerns.
A Legacy of Blurred Lines
During Trump’s first term, he brokered the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and Arab nations like the UAE and Bahrain. However, Saudi Arabia declined to join, citing Israel’s continued military operations in Gaza.
Now, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff says more progress on regional peace may be imminent.
But critics argue the president’s financial ties to the Gulf create a conflict of interest, casting doubt on the integrity of his diplomacy.
Business or Statesmanship?
Experts like Trita Parsi from the Quincy Institute suggest it’s not a coincidence Trump chose these three Gulf nations—countries aligned both with U.S. strategic interests and his personal investments.
“It’s hard to tell where business ends and diplomacy begins,” said Khaled Elgindy of Georgetown University. Critics believe the trip may serve dual purposes: boosting U.S. influence abroad while promoting the Trump brand.
The Trump Organization has not commented on its role in the trip.
Source: USA Today