On Wednesday, the Trump family business announced a new venture to construct a high-end golf resort in Qatar, indicating its willingness to remain engaged in international business endeavors should Donald Trump regain the presidency. This move raises concerns about the possibility of a sitting president influencing U.S. policy for personal gain.
The proposed development, which includes Trump-branded beachfront villas and an 18-hole golf course, is a collaborative project between a Saudi Arabian company and the Trump Organization. Notably, this marks the Trump Organization’s first international agreement since Trump’s presidency, contrasting with his initial term’s commitment to avoid foreign deals to prevent conflicts of interest.
Noah Bookbinder, head of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog group, criticized the agreement with Qatar. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the United States’ interests over personal financial gains.
In this venture, the Trump Organization aligns with the Saudi Arabian firm Dar Global and Qatari Diar, a state-owned company from Qatar, which seems to contradict the Trump Organization’s revised ethics guidelines. These guidelines suggest the company would not engage with foreign governments, even if foreign deals proceed. The Trump Organization clarified it partnered with the Saudi firm, although Eric Trump, leading the family business, acknowledged both entities in his commentary.
“We are delighted to expand the Trump brand in Qatar through this remarkable partnership with Qatari Diar and Dar Global,” Eric Trump stated.
This recent agreement to create the Trump International Golf Club and Trump Villas could set a precedent for future international deals. It follows prior agreements, such as a golf resort collaboration in Vietnam linked to a firm with ties to the country’s Communist Party, signed before Trump’s inauguration.
While these arrangements have sparked criticism from ethics watchdogs, they have mostly gone unnoticed among Trump’s Republican allies in Congress. Attempts to reach out to Republican foreign relations committee leaders, Senator James Risch and Representative Brian Mast, yielded no response.
Engagements with Saudi Arabia particularly raise eyebrows in diplomatic discussions. Trump’s initial presidency faced backlash due to his close association with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, especially after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a columnist known for his reformist critique of the Saudi regime. U.S. intelligence attributed the killing to orders from the crown prince.
The venture with Dar Global, which is affiliated with Dar Al Arkan, does not involve direct ownership by the Saudi government, yet the company maintains close relations with the Saudi royal family. Reports of financial ties extend to Trump’s family, as Kushner’s investment fund is said to receive significant backing from the Saudi wealth fund. The Saudi-financed LIV Golf has also hosted events at Trump properties, such as his Miami Doral resort.
Despite former President Trump’s previous assurances to avoid conflicts by separating his political duties from business interests, these commitments were arguably undermined during his initial term. His Washington D.C. hotel, close to the White House, became a hub for political and business leaders alike, leading to suggestions of profiteering from governmental function by entities wanting to curry favor.
Although lawsuits targeting violations of the Constitution’s emoluments clause were lodged against Trump’s administration, none reached the Supreme Court, as Trump had already left office. As he looks towards another potential presidential run, new potential conflicts loom, with the Trump Organization holding interests in the social media platform Truth Social and the cybercurrency firm World Liberty Financial. These investments could pose further ethical questions as Trump continues to influence regulatory policies.
With the Washington hotel now sold, Trump’s ongoing business dealings remain under scrutiny for new opportunities for conflict of interest should he pursue another public office role.