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By Gabe Whisnant
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The Trump Organization, founded by President Donald Trump and co-led by his sons Eric and Donald Jr., on Wednesday announced a new deal to develop a luxury golf resort in Qatar, signaling it has no intention of slowing foreign business activity during Trump's second term.
Newsweek has emailed the Trump Organization via email on Wednesday night for comment.
Why It Matters
The announcement of a Trump-branded golf resort in Qatar underscores the deepening ties between the president's affiliated company and Gulf nations. Trump is set to visit Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates this week, while his son Eric, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, is currently there.
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Golf Resort Announcement Comes Amid Qatar's Gift of New Air Force One
The golf resort announcement came just weeks before confirmed reports that President Trump accepted a luxury plane as a "gift" from Qatar's royal family that will be used as Air Force One.
President Trump said Monday that Qatari leadership was aware of delays in Boeing's production of the next-generation Air Force One and offered to assist by gifting an aircraft to the U.S. government.
"They knew there were setbacks," Trump explained. "I could be a stupid person and say we don't want a free plane, but this helps us out," he added, noting that the aircraft he currently uses is decades old.
Trump described the gesture as "an act of good faith" from Qatar.
However, the $400 million donation has drawn criticism from both Democrats and some of Trump's own allies, raising questions about the appropriateness of such a gift.
Trump clarified that he would not use the plane after leaving office, saying it would eventually be retired and housed at his future presidential library.
What to Know About Qatar Development
The Qatar development will feature a Trump International Golf Course and Trump Villas, part of the $5.5 billion Simaisma beachside project located roughly 40 minutes north of Doha. Led by Qatari Diar, the development is envisioned as a sprawling entertainment district that will include an 18-hole golf course and a "Land of Legends" theme park, a source told Reuters.
Dar Global, the international arm of Saudi Arabia's Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company, has previously announced Trump-branded projects in Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh and Oman.
Also, this week, the Trump Organization announced the launch of the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Dubai. The Simaisma resort will mark the first time the Trump name appears on a property in gas-rich Qatar.
The Trump Organization owns dozens of properties worldwide, with current and planned holdings in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. The company operates hotels and golf courses, as well as domestic commercial real estate.
Concerns about the blurred line between politics and personal business interests have been repeatedly raised throughout both the first and second Trump administrations.
In addition to its Saudi Arabian partner Dar Global, the planned luxury resort north of Doha will also be developed by Qatari Diar, a company owned by the Qatari government. That involvement appears to contradict the Trump Organization's second-term ethics pledge, which permits foreign business deals but explicitly bars partnerships with foreign governments.
When asked for clarification, the Trump Organization told the Associated Press that its agreement was solely with the Saudi firm. However, Eric Trump referenced both Dar Global and Qatari Diar in an earlier statement announcing the project.
"We are incredibly proud to expand the Trump brand into Qatar through this exceptional collaboration with Qatari Diar and Dar Global," Eric Trump said.
What People Are Saying
Noah Bookbinder, president of a watchdog group that has sued Trump for alleged ethics violations, blasted the Qatari deal to the Associated Press, "You want a president making decisions that are in the best interest of the United States, not his bottom line," said Bookbinder, who leads Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization told Reuters: "This whole region is dependent on a strong America. And I hear that time and time again. I hear that from the biggest leaders in the Gulf. Dubai, like the entire world, thrives on a healthy, safe world, and that's what President Trump wants."
What Happens Next
Wednesday's agreement to build the Trump International Golf Club and Trump Villas in Qatar is unlikely to be the last foreign venture for the Trump Organization. It follows a series of deals struck before President Trump returned to office, including a golf resort partnership in Vietnam late last year with a company linked to the Communist Party.
Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this story.
Update: 5/12/25, 12:06 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
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