Donald Trump’s legacy will forever be tied to being the most corrupt U.S. president ever to hold office
Given the escalating crisis in the Middle East, it’s hardly surprising that President Donald Trump’s first overseas trip of his second term would take him to the region. Gaza is facing one of its worst humanitarian disasters in decades: Israel intends to “conquer” the strip and forcibly displace millions of Palestinians, who are already enduring starvation and renewed airstrikes. While the Trump administration has reportedly managed to secure a ceasefire with Yemen’s Houthi rebels—who allegedly agreed to stop targeting U.S. naval vessels in the Red Sea—Israel continues its military campaign against the Iranian-backed group. Simultaneously, the administration is engaged in nuclear negotiations with Iran. Trump has projected confidence regarding the talks, yet he has also made it clear that if diplomacy collapses, the U.S. won’t hesitate to strike Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, risking a wider regional conflict.
Despite this tense backdrop, Trump’s journey to the Gulf isn’t centered on peacebuilding or even formal diplomacy. Instead, as one Arab official put it bluntly to Axios, the focus is “business, business and business.” Trump appears to be courting Gulf investments in the U.S.—notably, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who infamously ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi during Trump’s first term, has already committed to $600 billion in investment. But what’s increasingly clear is that Trump’s interests abroad may go far beyond public policy: his own family’s business dealings seem to be front and center. His visit across three Gulf nations, which started Monday, underscores how, in his second term, the lines between presidential responsibilities and personal enrichment have all but vanished.
Even before Air Force One touched down, controversy loomed. News broke that Trump planned to accept a lavish “palace in the sky”—a Boeing 747-8 worth approximately $400 million—as a gift from Qatar, intended for temporary use as Air Force One. Trump defended it in a Truth Social post: “So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane,” he wrote. “The Dems are World Class Losers!!!” But criticism came not just from Democrats; Republicans such as Senator Rand Paul, commentator Ben Shapiro, and far-right figure Laura Loomer also raised concerns. More troubling is Trump’s own admission that the aircraft might end up under the control of his presidential library foundation once his term ends—essentially giving him continued access after leaving office.
Though no direct quid pro quo has been established, the gift speaks volumes. Qatari officials have said the plane hasn’t been officially transferred, but the implication remains: Qatar is currying favor with the president in a highly visible act of influence. Trump, ever eager to be treated like royalty, is clearly receptive. The question isn’t whether Qatar will benefit during Trump’s presidency—it’s a near-certainty. This is exactly how Trump prefers to govern: through personal alliances, where foreign elites can gain his ear through deference and grand gestures. This is how he’s operating now, with no sign of stopping.
The Trump family’s business ties to the Gulf are long-established, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar—as well as nearby Azerbaijan. Given these longstanding connections, it would be more surprising if Trump didn’t discuss his own commercial ventures while also promoting American economic interests. But to Trump, there is no real distinction. Promoting his family’s brand and the American economy are one and the same.
This Gulf tour closely follows the path already traveled by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., who have been active in the region in recent months, securing billion-dollar agreements. These include a luxury hotel project in Dubai, a premium residential tower in Jeddah, and a golf resort with villas in Qatar, per The New York Times. But perhaps their most notable move is launching their family into the world of cryptocurrency. They co-founded American Bitcoin, a crypto venture they’re now preparing to take public, allowing outside investors to directly fund a company tied closely to the sitting president.
Since returning to office, Trump has thrown his support behind crypto-friendly legislation and dismantled a Justice Department unit focused on investigating fraud and criminal activity involving digital currencies. These policy moves align perfectly with his growing financial interest in the crypto world. Perhaps most audaciously, Trump has used cryptocurrency as a conduit for selling access to his inner circle. $Trump, a meme-based coin introduced just before his second inauguration, saw a massive spike in value following an invitation from Trump himself: 220 of the coin’s top investors were offered a seat at a private dinner with the president—an event he described as the “most EXCLUSIVE INVITATION in the world.” The result? Investors poured nearly $150 million into $Trump during a multi-week sale that concluded this Monday.
The identities of all guests remain unknown, but some are public—among them is Justin Sun, a prominent crypto entrepreneur and major Trump donor. Sun saw an SEC investigation against him vanish shortly after he spent $75 million on another meme token, $WLFI, aggressively promoted by Trump during the 2024 campaign.
Sun, a Chinese national based in Hong Kong, is only one of many foreign players cashing in on unprecedented access to the U.S. president. Whether or not an explicit deal was struck is beside the point; these investors are clearly buying proximity to influence crypto regulation. When you compare the Trump family’s sprawling crypto and real estate ventures—worth hundreds of millions of dollars—to Hunter Biden’s much-criticized lobbying work, the contrast is stark. Yet the latter sparked years of political scandal while the former plays out largely unchecked.
In Trump’s worldview, these windfalls—from jets to digital coin launches—aren’t abuses of power; they’re simply the perks of being “in charge of the world’s most powerful country.” As he said earlier this week, “I think it was a gesture because of the fact that we help, have helped, and continue to, we will continue to, all of those countries: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and others.” A $400 million private aircraft is, in Trump’s mind, just one more benefit of his position—along with countless real estate and crypto deals linked to his presidency.
What we’re witnessing isn’t just controversial; it may be the most brazen example of political corruption in American history. There are growing signs that Democrats are starting to take notice. Recently, they blocked a bill aimed at regulating stablecoin unless it includes provisions to prevent elected officials from owning or marketing such assets. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has also declared a freeze on all DOJ appointments until there’s more clarity surrounding the Qatari aircraft. Meanwhile, Trump continues his tour of the Middle East, securing agreements that enrich himself and his family—and maybe, by some extension, the country too.
Note to our readers: The information in this article has been compiled from respected national and international news outlets including Axios, The New York Times, and official government communications. All quotes have been verified for accuracy. We are committed to providing transparent, high-quality reporting on matters that shape global politics and U.S. governance.
