Trump live: Trump says he wants US to ‘take' Gaza and turn it into ‘freedom zone' as he visits the UAE
Donald Trump has said he wants the United States to 'take' Gaza and turn it into a 'freedom zone' while speaking at a business event in Qatar.
The president has also warned that the U.S. could be forced to take a 'violent course' with Iran if the friendly course of action does not work.
Speaking during his three-nation tour of the Middle East, the president said Iran has to make a decision as the two countries continue to negotiate the potential lifting of American sanctions if Iran abandons its nuclear development program.
'The non-friendly is a violent course and I don't want that… They have to get moving. They have to make that decision,' he said.
Meanwhile, Trump praised the Syrian president as a 'young, attractive guy' after the first meeting between the nations' leaders in 25 years — a meeting which followed his surprise announcement that the U.S. would lift all sanctions on the country.
On the last leg of his tour, Trump is in the United Arab Emirates for talks on artificial intelligence.
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Our live coverage has ended. Here's a full breakdown:
Trump arrived in the UAE on Thursday, where he visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and took part in a state visit with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Qasr Al Watan palace.
That came after Trump said that he doesn't expect to see any progress in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to end the war until he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
'Nothing is going to happen until Putin and I get together,' Trump said to reporters on Air Force One.
The UAE presidential palace, which Trump visited, is a huge complex surrounded by palm trees, gardens, and fountains.
Trump and the UAE president greeted delegations in a decorated hall with marble floors and chandeliers.
Trump then moved on to take in a space exhibition alongside Steve Witkoff, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, and other U.S. officials.
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sat down with Trump on Thursday afternoon Eastern time.
'Mr. President, for over 50 years, the UAE and the United States have shared a multi-dimensional strategic partnership and a long-standing friendship grounded in a shared commitment to advancing prosperity and stability in our countries, the region, and the world,' he said. 'Over the decades, the UAE has been a trusted partner of the United States, both in terms of bilateral relations and in matters of shared concern.'
'What a lot of people don't know, I think my staff is very surprised by it, you and I have been friends for a long time,' said Trump. 'We've been good friends, and what they don't know about you is that you are considered a truly great warrior.'
Trump concluded his remarks by inviting the UAE president to the White House.
'Let me have one month of fixing up the Oval Office, in other words, getting things ready,' said Trump. 'And I look forward to having you and the White House, we will celebrate together, but we are going to be your friend, and we're going to be your partner, and we really appreciate your confidence and an investment that's your biggest investment that you've ever made.'
Following Trump's remarks, the UAE president awarded Trump the Order of Zayed, the highest civil decoration in the country.
As he signed a guestbook, Trump said he was 'probably' heading back to Washington, D.C. on Friday. But he also said it could be a case of 'destination unknown.'
Later in the evening, Trump attended a banquet dinner.
Gustaf Kilander15 May 2025 19:05
Trump marvels at wealth of his Arab hosts while he eyes White House and Air Force One upgrades
Donald Trump is the most powerful and famous person on the planet, at the helm of the biggest economy and the strongest military.
But on his trip to the Middle East this week, the American president is sounding more than a little envious of his Arab hosts.
He admired the marble in the Qatari palace as 'perfecto' and 'very hard to buy.' He praised the 'gleaming marvels' of the skyline in Saudi Arabia. And he groused about the 'much smaller' and 'much less impressive' plane that is Air Force One.
Chris Megerian and Zeke Miller report:
Trump marvels at wealth of his Arab hosts while he eyes White House and Air Force One upgrades
Donald Trump is the most powerful and famous person on the planet, and the American president is at the helm of the biggest economy and the strongest military
Gustaf Kilander14 May 2025 19:40
Trump administration ends protections for Afghans in US by citing tourism under Taliban rule
Donald Trump 's administration is pointing to an increase in tourism under Taliban -controlled Afghanistan to justify the cancellation of humanitarian protections for more than 11,000 Afghans in the United States.
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DHS cites increasing tourism under Taliban for canceling protections for Afghans
Homeland Security is ending temporary legal status for more than 11,000 Afghans
Gustaf Kilander14 May 2025 20:00
Marjorie Taylor Greene joins calls for Derek Chauvin to be pardoned
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Marjorie Taylor Greene joins calls for Derek Chauvin to be pardoned
Georgia Republican calls for release of former Minneapolis police officer convicted over the May 2020 killing of George Floyd, which led to mass demonstrations across the U.S. and around the world
Gustaf Kilander14 May 2025 20:20
'He's playing a trick': Sceptical Ukraine tries to beat Putin at his own game in peace talks
With only a few hours to go until the start of what was slated as the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in years - talks that Vladimir Putin himself called - it still wasn't clear if the Russian president would actually show up.
For weeks he has dismissed Ukraine 's proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire - backed by the US and Europe - to allow both sides to start negotiations on how to end Europe's biggest war since World War Two.
Instead, the Russian leader challenged Volodymyr Zelensky to direct talks in Istanbul 'without any preconditions' on Thursday. If they go ahead, it would be the first meeting between the leaders since December 2019.
After brief initial reticence - and a few goading social media posts by Donald Trump - the Ukrainian leader called Moscow's bluff by confirming that he will indeed attend in person.
'He's playing a trick': Sceptical Ukraine tries to beat Putin at his own game
'Putin is not strong in direct negotiations. He's strong in playing games,' a senior Ukrainian source tells chief international correspondent Bel Trew
Trump says 'non-friendly' course for Iran is 'violent'
During the remarks at the state dinner, Trump made some comments regarding Iran.
'The non-friendly is a violent course and I don't want that… They have to get moving. They have to make that decision. It's their decision,' said the president.
Trump has previously said he wants a deal with Iran to stop it from getting a nuclear weapon.
He appealed to Qatar for help.
'I hope you can help me with the Iran situation,' he said. 'It's a perilous situation, and we want to do the right thing. We want to do ... something that's going to save maybe millions of lives. Because things like that get started, and they get out of control. I've seen it over and over again. They go to war, and things get out of control, and we're not going to let that happen.'
The Emir spoke about making massive investments in the U.S., he mentioned Qatar's trade deficit, and said the country likes 'drill baby drill,' a phrase Trump has used as a campaign slogan.
'Our newly announced projects and investments will amount to $1.2 trillion, and these days, I'm so grateful for the trade deficit we have with you, because the surplus swings in your favor. That's also why Scott Bessent is chill,' he said.
'I prayed for your recovery and your safety,' the Emir said regarding the assassination attempt against Trump last summer.
He also requested that Trump use American 'leverage' to end the fighting in Gaza.
He commended Trump for picking staff who are 'loyal to your country and loyal to your cause.'
'For all of us in the room, this stop was no mystery,' he said. 'Yes, the United States is a superpower, boasting the largest economy and military force in history. Meanwhile, Qatar is one of the smallest countries with one of the smallest populations, and as the Americans in the room know, D.C. is almost 7000 miles away from here, but my friends, small nations have their own superpowers, resilience, nimbleness — and we are a powerful agent for peace precisely because of our size.'
'This is a home. This is a serious home,' Trump said of the palace.
'It's just a perfect evening,' he added.
'Your country now stands as a hub [of] global commerce, acts as a key diplomatic force on the world stage, and has even hosted the World Cup. People said, Oh, the World Cup,' Trump said.
'He's coming to the United States. Great job you do Gianni,' the president said of the FIFA president.
Gustaf Kilander14 May 2025 20:41
Our live coverage has ended. Here's a full breakdown:
'He's a hero': Syrians praise Trump after removal of decades-old sanctions regime
Trump was already popular among many Syrians for his decision to launch military strikes against Assad during his first term in the White House — and last night they celebrated him again
Gustaf Kilander14 May 2025 20:50
WATCH: Trump welcomed by parade of red Cybertrucks and camels during Qatar visit
14 May 2025 21:00
'He's a hero': Syrians praise Trump after removal of decades-old sanctions regime
Donald Trump may be facing historically low approval levels at home, but in Syria at least, his popularity is surging.
Celebrations broke out in Damascus and other towns across Syria on Tuesday after Trump announced that he would remove decades-old U.S. sanctions on the country.
With a stroke of his pen, the president delivered a lifeline to a country decimated by years of war, opening the long-isolated economy to the global market.
Trump was already popular among many Syrians for his decision to launch military strikes against Assad during his first term in the White House — and last night they celebrated him again
Richard Hall14 May 2025 21:20
Donald Trump praises 'young, attractive' ex-terrorist Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa
Donald Trump shook hands with Syria's Islamist ruler on Wednesday – the first encounter between the two nations' leaders in 25 years and a potential turning point for Damascus as it struggles to emerge from decades of international isolation.
The US president warmly greeted former al-Qaeda fighter Ahmed al-Sharaa in a historic meeting unthinkable only a few months ago.
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