The Trump franchise is expanding in the Middle East — and so are ethical concerns
DOHA, Qatar — President Donald Trump brushed off questions Wednesday over ethical concerns about the growing Middle East footprint of his family business, as his trip in the region takes him to three countries with Trump-branded ventures.
On Wednesday, Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he didn't know how an Emirati-backed firm had struck a deal with the Trump family company's digital coin for $2 billion.
'I really don't know anything about it,' Trump said, adding that he is a big cryptocurrency fan and if the U.S. doesn't lead in crypto and AI, China will. Zach Witkoff, a co-founder of the World Liberty Financial crypto venture and the son of the president's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, announced the investment at a conference in Dubai earlier this month.
Asked if the Saudi-financed and Trump-linked LIV Golf tour came up during his conversations with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the last two days, Trump said it had not. 'We didn't discuss that,' he added. He also sidestepped Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's threat to block his nominees until there are more answers on a high-priced jet that Qatar has offered as a gift and instead mused that there was 'just something wrong' with Schumer, a New York Democrat.
The Trump Organization, led by the president's two oldest sons, has also significantly expanded its Middle East footprint, with new ventures in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. These include a Trump International Hotel & Tower in Dubai, a golf resort in Doha with Qatar's sovereign wealth fund's real estate arm, a Trump Tower in Jeddah, and a hotel under construction in Muscat. The projects are partnered with Dar Global, a developer linked to the Saudi government. It's unclear how long the projects will take to complete.
The Trump-branded projects have drawn scrutiny in Washington from the president's political opponents and even some allies, who point out that the president has not divested from the Trump Organization and continues to profit from — and personally promote — these business ventures in his second term. The company has said that Trump handed over management of his assets to his family before returning to office and has no day-to-day role.
"The Trump Organization developments in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates raise serious conflict of interest questions, as President Trump meets with top officials of all three countries this week,' said Meghan Faulkner, communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, an advocacy group and watchdog focused on issues of public integrity and affiliated with Democrats. 'The American people should not have to wonder if Donald Trump is prioritizing their interests or his own bottom line while he is making foreign policy decisions, but his business ties make that an unavoidable question.'
The White House did not return a request for comment.
Trump's affinity for the Middle East is well known, with the president finding fertile ground in the region as he works to carve out an image as a global peacemaker and the leader of a country that is open for business. On Tuesday in Riyadh, he announced plans to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria and offered Iran 'a new, hopeful path' toward a better future.
During a state visit with Qatar's emir on Wednesday, Trump praised the warming Qatar-Saudi Arabia relationship, lavishing flattery on his host. 'We just came from Saudi Arabia, where we have another great man over there that's a friend of yours,' he said. 'You guys get along so well and like each other. You sort of remind me a little bit of each other, if you want to know the truth. They're both tall, handsome guys who happen to be very smart.'
This marks a shift from his first term, when a Saudi-led coalition blockaded Qatar over alleged terrorism support.
And Trump has defended as 'a great gesture' the Qatari jet gift, saying before leaving Washington that turning it down would be foolish. 'I could be a stupid person and say, 'No, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane,'' Trump said, adding that it would go to his presidential library foundation once he leaves office. Qatar, however, appeared to temper the announcement. Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar's media attaché to the U.S., clarified that the transfer is 'under consideration' by Qatar's Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense, with no final decision having been made.
Democrats in Washington are capitalizing on the controversy, with the Democratic National Committee announcing plans to fly a banner that reads 'Qatar-a-Lago' over Trump's Mar-a-Lago club on Wednesday. Some Republican allies of the president have also raised concerns about the jet: Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson called the gift a "very odd offer," and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said the plane could bring "significant espionage and surveillance problems."
At a news conference Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., dismissed concerns about the Trump family's foreign business dealings, claiming he did not have expertise on the matter and stressing that Trump has been transparent.
'President Trump has nothing to hide,' Johnson said. 'He's very upfront.' He stressed that ethics oversight is in place and emphasized that his focus is on leading the House. And he said Qatar's gift of the plane was 'to the country,' not Trump personally.
Refitting the plane could cost $1 billion and take years to complete, more than twice the plane's reported value, NBC News reported. The cost, likely to come at taxpayers' expense, raises questions about the practical implications of a gift to a president who may no longer be in office at the time it's ready to use.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
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