Since leaving office in 2021, former President Donald Trump and several of his close allies have maintained a prominent presence in the oil-rich Gulf states. With lucrative multi-million dollar business deals and quiet diplomacy, they have continued to foster relationships with the wealthiest and most influential nations in the region. As Trump claims victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, these ongoing connections remain central to his post-presidential activities, highlighting a continued bond between his business empire and the Gulf’s power players.
Meetings with Gulf Leaders at Mar-a-Lago
One of the most significant developments in Trump’s ongoing relationship with Gulf leaders came in September, when he hosted Qatar’s ruling emir and the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Both leaders were visiting the U.S. for official state matters, but their private meetings with Trump at his luxury residence underscored the close ties between his administration and the Gulf monarchies. These interactions served as a reminder of the political and economic influence that Trump continues to wield, even after his presidency.
Jared Kushner’s Continued Engagement with Saudi Arabia
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a key advisor during his time in office, has remained heavily involved in U.S.-Saudi relations. Kushner’s ongoing diplomatic and business dealings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) demonstrate the enduring nature of the Trump administration’s connections to the Gulf region. Since leaving the White House, Kushner has continued to engage in discussions with MBS about diplomatic matters and regional cooperation. His attendance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar further solidified his ties to the Gulf, while also positioning him as a central figure in U.S.-Saudi affairs.
Trump Organization’s Expanding Business Ventures in the Gulf
The Trump Organization has continued to explore new business opportunities in the Gulf region, forging lucrative partnerships with key players in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. In July 2024, the Trump Organization announced a major partnership with Dar Global, a luxury real estate developer based in Saudi Arabia, to build a Trump-branded tower in Dubai. This move is part of a broader effort to expand Trump’s real estate portfolio in the Gulf, following a similar agreement to build a Trump Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. These business ventures not only underscore the Trump Organization’s continued influence in the region but also highlight the strong commercial ties that Trump and his allies maintain with Gulf monarchies.
Additionally, in 2022, Dar Global and the Trump Organization signed a deal to use the Trump brand for a massive $4 billion project in Oman. This development, which will include a golf course, luxury villas, and a hotel, marks another significant business move for Trump in the Gulf, reaffirming his company’s long-standing presence in the region.
Former Trump Officials Continue to Have Close Ties with Gulf Powers
Several other prominent figures from the Trump administration have maintained close business ties with Gulf nations since leaving office. Dina Powell McCormick, who served as Deputy National Security Advisor under Trump, is one such individual. McCormick, a former Wall Street veteran, was involved in Saudi Aramco’s historic initial public offering (IPO) in 2019 and has remained a key figure in U.S.-Saudi business relations. In October 2024, she attended Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative conference, a major event for dealmakers and investors, which further solidified her ongoing role in Gulf business dealings.
Ken Moelis, a former banker for Trump and founder of the investment firm Moelis & Company, is another ally who has remained active in the region. Moelis was also involved in Saudi Aramco’s IPO and participated in the Future Investment Initiative conference in 2024, highlighting his continued influence in Gulf financial circles.
Steve Mnuchin’s Frequent Visits to the Gulf
Steve Mnuchin, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary under Trump, has frequently visited Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE since leaving office. His visits are largely focused on maintaining and expanding his business interests in the region. Mnuchin established the investment firm Liberty Strategic Capital after his tenure in the Trump administration, and the firm has received backing from significant Gulf investors, including Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala, and SoftBank’s Vision Fund.
Jared Kushner’s Private Equity Fund and Gulf Investments
Jared Kushner’s private equity fund, Affinity Partners, has drawn significant interest from Gulf investors since its inception. Congressional investigations have revealed that Saudi Arabia invested $2 billion in the fund, with additional backing from sovereign wealth funds in Qatar and the UAE. These investments highlight the deepening financial relationships between Kushner and the Gulf states, as well as the region’s continued investment in his business endeavors.
The Trump Family’s Ongoing Business Interests in the Middle East
The Trump family, including Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, has also remained active in the Middle East, seeking to expand their business presence in the region. Eric Trump, in a July interview, confirmed that the Trump Organization is focused on pursuing more business deals in the Middle East. Donald Trump Jr., meanwhile, traveled to Oman and Dubai in June 2024 to further solidify the family’s business interests in the Gulf, marking another chapter in the Trump Organization’s ongoing relationships with the region’s wealthy monarchies.
A Continued Bond with the Gulf
The ongoing business dealings between Donald Trump, his family, and key allies, and the Gulf states, demonstrate the continued influence of Trump’s network in the region. Despite leaving office, Trump remains deeply engaged in commercial and diplomatic relations with some of the most powerful players in the Middle East. These relationships, built over years of mutual economic and political cooperation, have continued to thrive even as Trump makes his bid for a return to the White House. As the 2024 presidential election progresses, these connections could play a significant role in shaping both Trump’s campaign and his future policies if he secures a second term in office.
