The Trump Organization has secured a deal to develop a luxury golf resort in Qatar, marking the company’s first foreign deal since President Donald Trump took office for his second term. The announcement raises fresh concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as critics worry that the president’s involvement in foreign business could influence U.S. public policy for personal financial gain.
The planned resort will feature Trump-branded beachside villas and an 18-hole golf course, developed in partnership with Dar Global, a Saudi Arabian company. The project will be located north of the Qatari capital of Doha and will be developed alongside Qatari Diar, a state-owned Qatari entity. This collaboration raises questions about whether it aligns with Trump’s second-term ethics pledge, which reportedly excludes foreign government involvement in business deals.
Eric Trump, who leads the Trump Organization, expressed pride in the collaboration, stating, “We are incredibly proud to expand the Trump brand into Qatar through this exceptional collaboration with Qatari Diar and Dar Global.” Despite these statements, the Trump Organization clarified that its deal is primarily with the Saudi company, not directly with the Qatari government.
Ethics Concerns Over Foreign Business Deals
The Qatari golf resort deal is the latest in a series of foreign ventures for the Trump Organization, following several deals made before Trump’s second term, including a golf resort in Vietnam. These foreign business arrangements have sparked outrage among government watchdogs, who argue that they could present significant ethical concerns.
Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), criticized the Qatari deal, stating, “A president should be making decisions that benefit the U.S., not his own financial interests.” Despite such criticism, the Trump Organization’s foreign business dealings have not resulted in significant action from Republican lawmakers.
Trump’s Ties to Saudi Arabia Raise Red Flags
Any involvement with Saudi Arabia has been controversial, given Trump’s close ties to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, especially after the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Critics argue that deals with Saudi firms could present conflicts of interest, particularly in light of the Trump administration’s favorable stance toward the Saudi government.
The deal with Dar Global, a London-based subsidiary of Saudi developer Dar Al Arkan, is particularly sensitive, given the company’s close ties to the Saudi royal family. The Trump Organization’s dealings with Saudi Arabia also tie into other family ventures, such as Jared Kushner’s $2 billion investment fund backed by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. Additionally, LIV Golf, a Saudi-backed entity, has hosted tournaments at Trump’s Doral resort in Miami.
Trump’s Financial Interests and Potential Conflicts
During his first term, Trump faced multiple lawsuits claiming violations of the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the president from accepting foreign payments. Despite his initial pledge to avoid conflicts of interest, Trump’s business dealings during his presidency attracted criticism for fostering “pay-to-play” arrangements, including corporate lobbyists and foreign diplomats frequenting his Washington hotel.
Though the Trump hotel near the White House has been sold, new business ventures continue to raise concerns. The Trump Organization also owns a significant portion of the publicly traded company behind Truth Social, a social media platform that profits from Trump’s posts. Additionally, the Trump family holds stakes in World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency trading platform, as Trump has advocated for looser regulations on cryptocurrencies.
Trump’s Foreign Business Strategy Moving Forward
As President Trump enters his second term, foreign business dealings such as the Qatari golf resort project will likely continue to draw scrutiny. The ongoing involvement of Trump’s family business in international ventures suggests that the ethical questions surrounding his financial interests will remain a focal point throughout his presidency.
