President Trump is touring three of the wealthiest monarchies in the Middle East. They give him a reception worthy of the king’s worshippers.
President Donald Trump plans to accept Qatar jets
President Donald Trump is planning to accept the Qatar royal 747-8 jumbo jet to replace Air Force 1.
- Trump was treated to a tour of the Golden Palace in Saudi Arabia, Canon salutes and state dinner.
- “We really believe we love each other very much,” he said of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- According to biographers, monarchy Trump is most admired by the British royal family.
London – When it soaks in with charm, wears a crown or says “fancy,” he appeals to him, says one of his biographers. He named his youngest son “Baron.” This is often a class of genetic nobility, and added an extra “R” for a proper measure.
He added a touch of gold to all White House portraits, fireplace mantle, entrances, sculptures and coasters.
President Donald Trump has acknowledged his romantic relationship with royal families, particularly the British family, dating back to his mother, a poor immigrant from Scotland. In his book, The Art of the Deal, Trump recalls that in 1953, he sat for hours to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coral crown.
Currently, Trump is in the Middle East. There, a wealthy Arab monarchy lies in a reception filled with luxury and pageant, suitable for king worshippers.
Lavender carpet, golden sword
When Trump jumped into Riyadh on May 13, he was given a rare escort for the Saudi Air Force F-15. Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ruler of Saudi Arabia’s defactor, welcomed him at the airport. There, lavender carpets – colors reserved for famous high-ranking officials, celebrated Saudi Arabian identity – were unfolded.
Honorary Guards lined up with golden swords.
Trump was treated to a golden palace, cannon salutes and a state dinner tour. A fleet of Arabian horses with riders carrying the flag escorted the beast, his presidential limousine.
Qatar has launched its own carpet. This time – for Trump – he landed in Doha a day later and became the first US president to visit an energy-rich country since President George W. Bush in 2003. The scores of our flags and ours were lined up in the street. They were also placed on boats and stuck to horses and camels.
“We’re grateful for those camels,” Trump said.
Deals, jet liners and Syria sanctions lifted
In Qatar, Trump will take part in a second sparkling state dinner and try to attack commercial deals. Prior to his arrival, Catalis said he was looking for ways to present a gorgeous jet liner worth an estimated $400 million.
When Trump visits some of the richest countries in the world, he appears to be having a good time.
“We really believe we love each other very much,” he said of the Crown Prince as he lavished in a golden chair under the intricate chandeliers of the Saudi Arabian royal palace.
Trump is chasing major trade deals in the Gulf. In a speech later that day at the Riyadh Investment Conference, he described Crown Prince Mohammed as “an incredible man” and “a great man.”
The emotions seemed mutual. When Trump vowed to lift our sanctions on Syria, the Crown Prince placed his hand on his heart and led him to a standing ovation.
“Yeah, I’m doing it for the Crown Prince,” Trump said.
Trump and the Royal Family, Charm
Douglas Brinkley, author and professor of history at Rice University, notes that Trump has been “always very impressed with the monarchy.” And Michael da Antonio, who wrote his 2016 biography, “The Truth About Trump,” states that throughout his life, Trump has expressed his desire to be on par with his royal family and the British, especially the late monarch Elizabeth II.
“This is more important than legislation that can pass parliament than solving problems at the border with Mexico,” D’Antonio said in a 2019 interview. “I would think one of his thoughts of death would be this. When he was about to leave this earth, he would think, ‘I was that person, I was standing with the Queen.’ ”
(Trump Trump met Queen Elizabeth II twice in his first presidency. In 2018, they watched a military parade and drank tea at Windsor Castle. In 2019, during a state visit, she held a banquet for him at Buckingham Palace. She liked her.”
Still, Christopher Hansel, who served as Charge Die-a-A Affairs at the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia from 2017 to 2019, said he “really didn’t see” his preconceived notion of Middle Eastern monarchy in Trump.
“Every US President recognizes that Saudi Arabia is a very important partner if they are trying to accomplish anything in the Middle East,” he said. “It’s not whether you like them, are attracted to them or not. You have to deal with them. There’s a huge GDP in Saudi Arabia. It’s diplomatic power. It’s religious qualifications.”
Hansel added that the state’s visit is “intended to be impressive,” and that Saudi Arabia is “known for its completely excess and gorgeous event.” He said this is another Gulf nation – Trump has also visited the United Arab Emirates in Junt in his region – sometimes “we tried to copy and even get better.”
Among the gorgeous people, Trump easily took part in a traditional male-only sword dance during his 2017 visit. “I was there for that and I can say he really enjoys it,” Hansel said.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar bring glamour
Brett Brune, director of global engagement at the Obama White House, said the treatment of the royals Trump has received in the Gulf would be “in the paper some of the more sensitive regions of our relationship, from human rights to dealing with China.”
Bruen said Trump “seems to be captivated by the glamour and charm, he forgets to focus on our agenda and lets him fall on the show they put on for him.”
Former diplomat Hansel objected.
He said Trump understood Saudi Arabia relations and contrasted with former President Trump and former President Joe Biden, who vowed to have “Paria” kicked out of the kingdom for the human rights record in 2019, particularly due to the murder of US journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents.
The US intelligence agency concluded that the prince has approved the murder of Khashoggi. Within a year of winning the White House, Biden traveled to Saudi Arabia and pushed the kingdom to increase oil production amid rising prices.
I didn’t do that.
Where Trump and Arab Monarchies match
Ali al-Ahmed, the Saudi-born founder of the Gulf Issues Institute, a Washington, DC-based think tank, said Arab monarchy leaders had the “idea that they like to show off.”
He said he believes Trump shares this habit.
“When I look at his house, they’re gold plated,” Al Ahmed said, referring to Trump’s gorgeous 128-room María Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump met the Qatar chief in the incense scent ritual room at Rusail Palace in Doha. As he entered the room he stopped, looked around, marveled at the architecture.
“The work you did is no match for anyone. You see this and it’s so beautiful,” he told Emile. “As a builder, I see Perfect Marble, which is what they call Perfect.”
