Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 07:13pm on 17 May 2025,Saturday International
During his 2025 Middle East tour, former U.S. President Donald Trump received extravagant gifts from Gulf nations. Qatar presented him with a $400 million Boeing 747-8, dubbed the "Flying Palace," intended for the U.S. Defense Department and his presidential library. The United Arab Emirates offered a symbolic drop of Murban crude oil, to which Trump humorously remarked, "I'm not thrilled." Saudi Arabia welcomed him with grand ceremonies, including fighter jet escorts and traditional performances. These gestures coincided with Gulf states pledging $600 billion in investments and major deals in defense, aviation, and artificial intelligence. While Trump hailed the trip as "incredible diplomacy," critics raised concerns about potential constitutional violations and foreign influence. (PC: CNN & The Telegraph)
