President Donald Trump landed in Riyadh on Tuesday to kick off his Middle East visit, spotlighting business deals while navigating a major international crisis. Trump’s trip includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, where he plans to focus heavily on economic ties.
His first engagements include a Saudi state visit, a summit with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders, and a US-Saudi business forum. Senior White House officials confirmed that Trump will prioritize investment, regional stability, and cooperation with US allies in the Gulf.
Officials emphasized that a stable Middle East boosts mutual prosperity for regional powers and the United States. Before leaving Washington, Trump accepted a $400 million aircraft from Qatar’s royal family, raising questions about constitutional rules.
The plane described as a flying palace sparked debate about compliance with the emoluments clause, which bars foreign gifts without Congress’s approval. Trump called the gift a grand gesture and said he plans to donate the aircraft to his presidential library after leaving office.
Trump is also expected to speak to American troops at Al Udeid Air Base and deliver remarks on US partnerships. Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick accompany Trump.
Meanwhile, the conflict in Gaza threatens the future of Trump’s Abraham Accords, which normalized ties between Israel and several Arab nations. Unlike his earlier presidency, Trump will not visit Israel this time, when the country was a key stop. Saudi leaders have repeatedly demanded Palestinian statehood as a condition for any future diplomatic relations with Israel.
