Trump’s Middle East Empire: Skyscrapers, Golf Courses, and Crypto Cash-Ins

The Trump family’s business ventures in the Middle East are booming, intertwining luxury real estate, golf resorts, and cryptocurrency deals with the political clout of a U.S. presidency. As President Donald Trump embarks on his first major foreign trip of his second term to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, his sons, Eric and Donald Jr., are capitalizing on the region’s petrodollar wealth, raising eyebrows about potential conflicts of interest. From a $5.5 billion golf resort in Qatar to a billion-dollar Dubai skyscraper that accepts Bitcoin, the Trump Organization’s Middle East footprint is expanding rapidly. But what does this mean for American foreign policy and the ethical boundaries of a sitting president’s family business? Let’s dive into the glitz, the deals, and the murky waters of influence.

A New Golden Age for the Trump Brand

The Trump Organization, led by Eric and Donald Trump Jr., has more than tripled its Middle East business ties since Trump’s first term, with a flurry of new projects announced since his 2024 reelection. The family’s ventures span luxury skyscrapers, golf courses, and even cryptocurrency, capitalizing on the Gulf’s appetite for opulence and development-friendly policies. Eric Trump, the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, has been a visible figure in the region, recently attending a cryptocurrency conference in Dubai to promote the family’s crypto venture, World Liberty Financial, while also unveiling plans for a new Trump-branded tower. Meanwhile, Donald Jr. was in Doha, Qatar, preparing to speak on “Monetising Maga,” blending political branding with business hustle.

The Trump family’s Middle East portfolio is a glittering array of projects:

• Qatar: A $5.5 billion Trump International Golf Club and Villas in Simaisma, 40 km north of Doha, featuring an 18-hole golf course, a clubhouse, and luxury villas. The project, announced in April 2025, involves Dar Global and Qatari Diar, a state-owned real estate firm, raising questions about ties to foreign governments.

• Dubai, UAE: A billion-dollar Trump International Hotel and Tower, an 80-story residential high-rise set to begin construction in fall 2025. Notably, apartments can be purchased with cryptocurrency, aligning with the family’s push into digital finance.

• Saudi Arabia: Multiple projects, including a 47-story Trump Tower in Jeddah (slated for completion in 2029) and two developments in Riyadh, all in partnership with Dar Global, a Saudi-based luxury developer.

• Oman: A Trump International Hotel and luxury golf development, also with Dar Global, expected to be completed by 2028.

These deals, often struck with partners like Dar Global, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Dar Al Arkan, align with the region’s ambitious economic modernization plans, particularly Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). “Don’t stop believing in the Trump brand,” Dar Global’s CEO Ziad El Chaar declared in a recent speech, touting the Dubai project.

Cryptocurrency Ventures and Gulf Investments

The Trump family’s foray into cryptocurrency adds another layer to their Middle East empire. World Liberty Financial, their crypto firm, has gained traction in the region, with Eric Trump serving as a prominent spokesman and board member of its controlling entity, WLF Holdco LLC. In April 2025, a UAE-backed investment firm, MGX, announced a $2 billion investment in Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, using World Liberty Financial’s stablecoin, USD1. This deal, revealed during a Dubai crypto conference, underscores the family’s pivot toward digital finance in a region eager to embrace cutting-edge investments.

Critics argue this creates a financial pipeline where Trump-aligned interests could profit from each dollar invested, raising ethical red flags. “Given the extensive ties between Trump enterprises and the Gulf, I’d say there’s a pretty glaring conflict of interest here,” said Jon Hoffman, a research fellow at the Cato Institute.

The Saudi Connection: LIV Golf and Kushner’s Billions

The Trump family’s ties to Saudi Arabia are particularly deep. Since 2022, the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league has hosted tournaments at Trump properties, including his Doral resort in Florida, after the PGA canceled events at Trump’s New Jersey course post-January 6. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, led by MBS, also invested $2 billion in a private equity firm launched by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, during his first term. Kushner’s close relationship with MBS, forged during his time as a White House adviser, has fueled speculation about political influence through business dealings.

Saudi Arabia’s commitment to invest $600 billion in the U.S. over four years, alongside the UAE’s $1.4 trillion pledge over a decade, aligns with Trump’s calls for Gulf nations to “spend big” in America. These economic promises, however, blur the line between diplomacy and dealmaking, especially as Trump’s family profits from the same governments he negotiates with as president.

Qatar’s “Palace in the Sky” and Ethical Concerns

Qatar’s role in the Trump family’s ventures is equally contentious. The Simaisma golf resort deal involves Qatari Diar, a company owned by Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, despite the Trump Organization’s pledge to avoid new deals with foreign governments during Trump’s second term. Eric Trump clarified that the agreement is with Dar Global, which purchased the land from Qatari Diar, but the involvement of a state-backed entity has sparked debate about violations of the U.S. Constitution’s foreign emoluments clause.

Adding fuel to the fire, Qatar offered Trump a $400 million Boeing 747-8, dubbed a “palace in the sky,” which he accepted, dismissing ethical and security concerns. “I could be a stupid person and say, ‘No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane,’” Trump quipped. This gesture, coupled with a $96 billion deal for Qatar’s state-owned airline to purchase 210 Boeing aircraft, underscores the intertwining of business and diplomacy.

A Region Ripe for Influence

The Gulf’s monarchical systems, flush with oil wealth and led by leaders who wield absolute authority, provide fertile ground for the Trump Organization’s expansion. Analysts like Robert Mogielnicki of the Arab Gulf States Institute argue that Gulf governments see Trump-branded projects as a way to curry favor with the U.S. administration. “Signing commercial deals with the U.S. president is an easy route to political influence,” Mogielnicki noted.

Local business communities in the Gulf welcome these partnerships, citing faster project approvals due to developers’ close ties to governments. “For us, these business deals are good for the region, good for business,” said one insider familiar with Saudi and UAE sentiments. Yet, ethicists like Robert Weissman of Public Citizen warn that such financial links create opportunities for foreign powers to sway U.S. policy. “When the American people elect a president, they expect that person to work for them, not for profit,” Weissman said.

Trump’s Vision: Commerce Over Chaos

Trump’s admiration for the Gulf’s development model is evident. During his trip, he marveled at the region’s “majestic skyscrapers” and “amazing genius,” praising cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha for their transformations. “A new generation of leaders is transcending the ancient conflicts of tired divisions of the past and forging a future where the Middle East is defined by commerce, not chaos,” he said in Riyadh. This vision aligns with his push for a “Golden Age” of both America and the Middle East, but it also raises questions about whether his family’s profits are driving his foreign policy priorities.

The Ethical Tightrope

The Trump Organization’s Middle East ventures, while lucrative, walk a fine line. The family’s history in the region predates Trump’s presidencies, with the Trump International Golf Club in Dubai opening in 2017 via a partnership with DAMAC Properties. But the scale and pace of new deals—coupled with Trump’s role as president—have intensified scrutiny. The Simaisma project’s ties to Qatari Diar, the UAE’s crypto investments, and Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf partnerships all highlight the potential for conflicts of interest. Critics argue that these deals could tempt Trump to prioritize his family’s bottom line over U.S. interests, especially as he meets with leaders who can influence the success of these projects.

The Trump Organization insists it avoids direct dealings with foreign governments, emphasizing partnerships with private firms like Dar Global. Yet, Dar Global’s parent company, Dar Al Arkan, is closely tied to Saudi Arabia’s economic agenda, and Qatari Diar’s involvement in the Simaisma project muddies the waters.

What’s Next for the Trump Empire?

As Trump tours the Gulf, his family’s business empire continues to grow, with Eric hinting at “a few more” projects with Dar Global. The region’s leaders, eager to align with a U.S. president known for his dealmaking prowess, are rolling out the red carpet—literally, in Saudi Arabia’s case, with camels and Cybertrucks as part of the welcome. But as the Trump brand expands, so do the questions about transparency, ethics, and the intersection of business and governance.

The Gulf’s petrodollar-fueled economies offer a playground for the Trump Organization’s ambitions, but they also pose risks. Will these deals strengthen U.S. economic ties with the Middle East, as Trump claims, or will they undermine public trust in his administration’s priorities? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the Trump family’s Middle East ventures are as bold and brash as the man himself.

Thought Questions for Readers:

1. Do you believe the Trump family’s Middle East business dealings pose a significant conflict of interest for U.S. foreign policy? Why or why not?

2. Should there be stricter regulations on the business activities of a sitting president’s family, especially in foreign markets?

3. How might the Gulf’s investments in Trump-related ventures influence U.S. relations with the region in the coming years?