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The Trump Organization has reached a deal to develop a luxury golf resort in Qatar, reigniting some criticism about conflicts of interest.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, the Trump Organization is a privately held business empire founded by Donald Trump and now primarily managed by his sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. During Trump’s first presidency, he publicly announced that he would step away from the day-to-day operations of the company to avoid conflicts of interest, handing control to his sons while retaining full ownership and financial interest. Despite this, some critics noted that he never divested from the company, allowing him to continue profiting from it while in office. As of now, the same arrangement has continued under his second term, with Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. running its day-to-day operations.
What’s going on now: In a notable development, the Trump Organization has announced its first-ever real estate project in Qatar, a luxury golf and villa resort to be built along the country’s northern coast in Simaisma. The development, part of a $5.5 billion entertainment and tourism complex led by Qatar, will feature the Trump International Golf Club and Trump Villas. The resort is planned to include an 18-hole championship golf course, an exclusive beachfront clubhouse, and high-end Trump-branded residences. The project is being developed in partnership with Dar Global, the international arm of Saudi Arabia’s Dar Al Arkan, which has previously worked with the Trump family on other projects in Dubai, Riyadh, and Oman.
Officials from the Trump Organization have celebrated the partnership as a major milestone. “We are incredibly proud to expand the Trump brand into Qatar through this exceptional collaboration with Qatari Diar and Dar Global,” said Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization, in a statement. He also emphasized the strategic importance of the region, telling Reuters, “This whole region is dependent on a strong America… Dubai, like the entire world, thrives on a healthy, safe world, and that’s what President Trump wants.”
When questions were raised about the involvement of Qatari Diar—a company owned by the Qatari government—Eric Trump sought to clarify, saying, “Our partners Dar purchased land from them. We have zero relationship with them — they are there showing me the vision of the city.”
Critics, however, have expressed concern over the ethical implications of the project. Noah Bookbinder, president of the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), condemned the deal, stating, “You want a president making decisions that are in the best interest of the United States, not his bottom line.”
