Former President Donald Trump’s upcoming Middle East tour has raised eyebrows among diplomatic circles. The five-day visit will take him to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates—but unlike traditional presidential trips, this one appears focused more on business than diplomacy.
My sources at the State Department, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirm that Trump’s itinerary includes meetings with sovereign wealth fund managers and real estate developers. “This is unprecedented for a former president,” one senior official told me during our conversation last week. “We’re seeing the line between personal business interests and diplomatic engagement blur in real-time.”
The trip comes just weeks after the Trump Organization announced plans to develop luxury hotels in Riyadh and Dubai, projects estimated to be worth over $2 billion. According to financial disclosure documents I’ve reviewed, these deals would represent the largest overseas expansion of Trump’s business empire since he left office.
What makes this situation particularly notable is how Trump’s business ventures intersect with America’s strategic interests in the region. The Middle East remains a critical focus for U.S. foreign policy, especially given ongoing tensions with Iran and the fragile Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
During my fifteen years covering Washington politics, I’ve observed how former presidents typically focus on diplomatic missions or humanitarian causes after leaving office. Jimmy Carter monitored elections and built homes. Bill Clinton tackled global health challenges. But Trump seems to be charting a different course entirely.
“Former presidents have significant influence abroad, which is why there are ethical guardrails around their post-presidency activities,” explains Dr. Sarah Brennan, professor of international relations at Georgetown University. When I interviewed her yesterday, she noted that “the potential for conflicts of interest becomes particularly acute when business deals involve countries with strategic importance to the United States.”
The Saudi Public Investment Fund, which will reportedly be represented at meetings with Trump, currently manages assets worth approximately $620 billion. Their investment decisions carry substantial geopolitical weight in the region and beyond. Records from the Treasury Department show increased Saudi investment in U.S. securities following Trump’s presidency.
I remember covering Trump’s first presidential visit to Saudi Arabia in 2017. The striking images of the sword dance and the glowing orb ceremony dominated headlines. But behind those theatrical moments were serious discussions about arms deals and regional security. Now, without the constraints of office, Trump appears to be leveraging those relationships for personal gain.
The Trump Organization has defended the trip as standard business practice. In a statement provided to my editorial team, a spokesperson said: “President Trump built relationships with world leaders based on mutual respect. These ongoing connections benefit American business interests abroad.“
Critics, however, see it differently. Congressman Adam Schiff told me during our phone interview that “former presidents should not monetize their previous position to enrich themselves or their family businesses.” His concern reflects broader questions about the ethical boundaries for former commanders-in-chief.
What complicates this story further is the timing. Regional tensions have escalated following recent developments in Yemen, where Saudi-backed forces have struggled against Iranian-supported Houthi rebels. According to United Nations reports, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with over 21 million people needing assistance.
The White House has maintained a cautious public stance on Trump’s trip. When I pressed for comment at yesterday’s briefing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre would only say that “former presidents are private citizens who make their own decisions about their activities.”
But privately, administration officials express concern about the mixed messages being sent to our regional allies. “It undermines our current diplomatic efforts when a former president is conducting parallel engagements focused on personal business,” one White House advisor told me after the briefing, speaking off the record.
I’ve spent decades tracking how Middle East politics intersects with American interests. The region’s complex dynamics require nuanced understanding and careful diplomatic engagement. Trump’s approach appears to prioritize business expediency over these considerations.
