Trump Business Portfolio in Middle East Hits Record High
The Trump family’s Middle East business empire grows faster with luxury skyscrapers, golf courses and cryptocurrency projects worth billions across Gulf nations. The Trump Organization plans an 80-story Trump Tower in Dubai, with construction starting this fall. The family has also joined forces with Dar Global to build a Trump Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Their latest Dubai skyscraper deal, valued at a billion dollars, accepts cryptocurrency payments.
The Trump Organization’s vision goes beyond real estate into the digital economy. Their stablecoin, USD1, received a $2 billion investment from a UAE-backed fund for Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Trump-branded projects dot the region with a luxury golf resort in Doha, Qatar, and a Trump International Hotel in Oman planned to open by December 2028. DAMAC Properties, an Emirati company, strengthens these Middle Eastern connections by pledging $20 billion for U.S. data centers.
Trump Expands Business Footprint Across Middle East
“Before our eyes, a new generation of leaders is transcending the ancient conflicts and tired divisions of the past, and forging a future where the Middle East is defined by commerce, not chaos; where it exports technology, not terrorism; and where people of different nations, religions, and creeds are building cities together — not bombing each other out of existence.” — Donald J. Trump, President of the United States
The Trump brothers have begun an aggressive expansion strategy in the Middle East and secured lucrative deals in multiple countries. Their business ventures include luxury real estate developments and innovative cryptocurrency initiatives that strengthen the family’s commercial influence throughout the region.
Eric and Don Jr. lead Trump Organization’s regional push
Eric and Donald Trump Jr. have traveled extensively across the Middle East to drive The Trump Organization’s ambitious growth plans. Donald Jr. led a paid-speech tour called “Trump Business Vision 2025” through Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, Eric Trump moved between Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and other Middle Eastern countries to advance the family’s real estate and cryptocurrency interests. Both brothers connected with government leaders and business executives to build future collaborations. Eric Trump played a key role in Doha where officials signed an agreement with a Saudi-based real estate company to build a new Trump golf course and luxury villa complex. This deal should generate millions in branding and management fees.
Trump Tower Dubai and golf Dubai projects gain momentum
The AED 3.67 billion Trump International Hotel and Tower in Dubai stands as the cornerstone of Trump’s Middle Eastern expansion. This 80-story skyscraper, developed with Dar Global, will showcase the world’s highest outdoor swimming pool once completed. The luxury development accepts cryptocurrency payments from buyers, which shows the Trump Organization’s growing focus on digital currencies. Located at the entrance of Downtown Dubai, the tower offers views of Burj Khalifa and should be ready between 2030 and 2031. The Trump Organization already has a presence in Dubai through its partnership with developer Damac for two golf developments in the Akoya project.
Crypto ventures promoted at Dubai conference
Token2049, a major cryptocurrency conference in Dubai, drew over 10,000 digital currency enthusiasts where Eric Trump and Zach Witkoff (co-founder of World Liberty Financial) made key announcements. They revealed during their panel that MGX, an investment fund backed by Abu Dhabi’s government, would invest AED 7.34 billion in Binance using World Liberty’s stablecoin USD1. This deal provides substantial financial support to World Liberty since stablecoin issuers earn revenue by accepting deposits and investing them to generate returns. Eric Trump shared his excitement about combining real estate and digital currency: “Real estate and cryptocurrencies are credible hedges for one another and when I can see two worlds that I truly love come together, it’s very exciting”.
Trump Signs Real Estate and Crypto Deals in Gulf States
Image Source: Eastern Progress
The Trump Organization has signed many high-profile development deals in Gulf states and built a strong presence in the region’s luxury real estate market. These strategic collaborations extend to multiple countries and could bring billions in revenue to the Trump family business.
Qatar luxury golf resort and Simaisma development
The Trump family has launched its first branded project in Qatar. They partnered with Dar Global and Qatari Diar, a real estate company backed by Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund. The Trump International Golf Club and Trump Villas will be part of the Simaisma beachside development, 40 kilometers north of Doha. This bold project costs AED 11.02 billion and features an 18-hole golf course with exclusive Trump-branded beachside villas. The development spans 790,000 square meters within the larger AED 20.20 billion Simaisma coastal project. A 650,000 square meter theme park called “Land of Legends Qatar” will also be built there.
Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah and Riyadh skyscraper projects
The Trump Organization and Dar Global have joined forces on several luxury developments in Saudi Arabia. The Trump Tower Jeddah, a 47-story skyscraper along Jeddah Corniche, should be ready by December 2029. Its sleek glass exterior will reflect the Red Sea waters. The company announced two more projects in Riyadh in December 2024 – a Trump Tower and a Trump Golf community like the one in Oman. These Saudi ventures are worth a fortune, with the Jeddah tower alone valued at AED 1946.13 million.
Oman hotel and UAE’s Trump International Tower
The Trump Organization has teamed up with Dar Global and Omran Group, Oman’s state-run tourism development arm, to build the Trump International Oman. This AED 1835.97 million hospitality project near downtown Muscat will have a 140-room hotel with an 18-hole golf course, members-only club, and exclusive features including a nightclub and private beach access. Dubai will soon see an 80-story Trump International Hotel and Tower that costs AED 3.67 billion. This Dar Global partnership project will feature the world’s highest rooftop infinity pool and luxury penthouses that cost up to AED 73.44 million each.
Critics Raise Conflict of Interest Concerns
Image Source: NBC News
The Trump family continues to grow its business empire throughout the Middle East, prompting government ethics experts to raise their most important concerns about presidential duties clashing with private financial interests.
Watchdogs question overlap of politics and business
Ethics watchdogs have raised red flags about the growing Trump business portfolio during his presidency. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) found 3,403 conflicts of interest during Trump’s first term. These included 503 presidential visits to Trump’s properties and 885 trips by executive branch officials to Trump businesses. Reports that Qatar’s royal family plans to gift Trump a luxury plane worth AED 1468.78 million have sparked additional scrutiny. Critics point to the Constitution’s Emoluments clause that stops officials from accepting “any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State”.
White House defends Trump’s ethics compliance
The White House stands firm that Trump follows all ethics requirements, despite growing criticism. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws”. Trump’s children manage his assets in a trust, according to administration officials. The Trump Organization put out a voluntary ethics agreement that bans direct deals with foreign governments but still allows arrangements with private foreign companies. Leavitt brushed off questions about potential conflicts as “ridiculous” and claimed the administration holds itself “to the highest of ethical standards”.
Trump denies involvement in crypto and LIV Golf deals
Trump himself has stepped back from specific business deals. He responded to questions about the UAE government-backed deal using Trump family digital coins for a AED 7.34 billion crypto exchange investment by saying, “I really don’t know anything about it, but I’m a big crypto fan”. He also denied talking about LIV Golf with Saudi officials. The Cato Institute’s Jon Hoffman remains doubtful, noting “Given the extensive ties between LIV Golf and the PIF, or between Trump enterprises more generally and the Gulf, I’d say there’s a pretty glaring conflict of interest here”.
Middle East Leaders Leverage Trump Ties for Influence
Image Source: Al Jazeera
“Exactly eight years ago this month, I stood in this very room and looked forward to a future in which the nations of this region would drive out the forces of terrorism and extremism … and take your place among the proudest, most prosperous, most successful nations anywhere in the world as leaders of a modern and rising Middle East.” — Donald J. Trump, President of the United States
Gulf leaders have become fluent in building relationships with President Trump. They combine huge economic promises with strategic gifts, and these nations now position themselves as key partners for the United States in the region.
Gulf states announce massive U.S. investment pledges
Middle Eastern nations have made unprecedented financial commitments during Trump’s regional tour. Saudi Arabia promised to invest AED 2203.16 billion in the United States over four years. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the potential growth to AED 3.67 trillion after completing initial deals. The investment package has defense purchases worth AED 521.42 billion from over a dozen American defense companies. The United Arab Emirates also stepped up with a AED 5.14 trillion investment framework for ten years. We focused this investment on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and energy sectors. These huge financial commitments show Gulf states’ push to become America’s key economic partners.
Qatar’s Boeing 747 gift sparks bipartisan scrutiny
Qatar’s government offered President Trump a Boeing 747 aircraft worth AED 1468.78 million, which created controversy. Trump defended it as “a great gesture” that would be “stupid” to refuse. The proposal faced criticism from both parties. Republican Senator Ted Cruz raised concerns about “significant espionage and surveillance problems”. Democrats called it “naked corruption”. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer blocked Justice Department nominees until the White House explains the full arrangement. Trump stated the aircraft would go to the Defense Department, not to him personally.
Analysts say Trump brand buys goodwill in region
International affairs experts believe Gulf states see business ties with Trump’s family as a direct path to political influence. Hasan Alhasan from the International Institute for Strategic Studies explains, “Catering to the Trump family’s commercial interests is perhaps seen as a shorter and more effective route toward political influence”. Gulf nations want preferential treatment for arms sales, AI technology transfers, and security guarantees in return. Political analysts point out that Trump’s business ventures create dependencies that could shape policy decisions. Jordan Libowitz of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington notes, “These Gulf nations are actively trying to advance their standing in the world” through their Trump family connections.
The Trump family has built an impressive business empire across the Middle East. Their commercial success includes Dubai’s 80-story Trump Tower and Qatar’s luxury golf resort. These ventures could generate billions in revenue from Gulf nations. The family has expanded beyond real estate and ventured into cryptocurrency through World Liberty Financial’s USD1 stablecoin. In spite of that, their unprecedented business growth raises serious questions about keeping presidential duties separate from private financial interests. Ethics watchdogs spotted thousands of potential conflicts during Trump’s first term. The White House stands firm on its compliance with all ethical requirements.
Gulf nations seem to use these business relationships strategically. Their massive investment pledges show clear attempts to gain political favor. Saudi Arabia promised AED 2203.16 billion while the UAE committed AED 5.14 trillion. Qatar’s controversial aircraft gift shows how Middle Eastern leaders prefer building influence through business rather than traditional diplomacy. Trump’s public distance from certain business deals hasn’t convinced critics about his voluntary ethics agreement’s effectiveness.
This complex network of business deals means more than just commercial growth. The Trump Organization’s Middle Eastern ventures blur the boundaries between international diplomacy, personal business, and national security. The region keeps embracing Trump-branded luxury developments. Yet questions remain whether these partnerships help American interests or just boost the Trump family’s bank accounts.
