During his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that business-related topics such as real estate or golf ventures were not discussed in meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. He specifically denied any talks about constructing a Trump Tower in Damascus, despite claims from a supporter suggesting Sharaa’s interest in such a project. Trump remarked, “We’ll have to wait a little while until things calm down,” indicating that such developments are not currently on the agenda.

Additionally, President Trump addressed reports of a $2 billion cryptocurrency investment involving a firm backed by the Abu Dhabi government and digital assets linked to his family’s company. He stated he was unaware of the deal’s specifics but expressed general support for cryptocurrencies, saying, “I really don’t know anything about it, but I’m a big crypto fan, I will tell you.”

When questioned about discussions related to professional golf, particularly the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, Trump responded that the topic did not arise during his meetings. This is notable given his previous efforts to mediate between the two organizations.

Despite these denials, President Trump’s family maintains significant business interests in the Gulf region, including multi-billion dollar deals. Critics, including some fellow Republicans, have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, especially in light of reports that Qatar is considering gifting Trump a $400 million airplane. The White House and the Trump Organization have dismissed these concerns, asserting that President Trump is prioritizing national interests over personal business matters and that his children are managing his business assets.

This visit to Saudi Arabia is part of President Trump’s broader Middle East tour, which includes stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, aiming to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties in the region.

Source: Reuters