Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, a senior adviser to President Donald Trump, said on Tuesday that he will dial back his spending on future political campaigns.
Asked about his plans for political contributions at Bloomberg&#8217;s Qatar Economic Forum, Musk said over video that he&#8217;s &#8220;going to do a lot less in the future.&#8221; Musk <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-277-million-trump-republican-candidates-donations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spent</a> nearly $240 million through his political action committee, America PAC, helping Trump and Republicans in the 2024 election cycle. His comments on Tuesday, however, indicate that he won&#8217;t be as aggressive in pushing Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections.
&#8220;I think I&#8217;ve done enough,&#8221; Musk said, adding, &#8220;If I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it. I do not currently see a reason.&#8221;
<iframe loading="lazy" title="LIVE: Elon Musk speaks remotely at the Qatar Economic Forum" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iTRY86NEIbg?start=1984&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Along with his major donations to the Republican effort last election cycle, Musk was also a major fixture on the campaign trail, appearing multiple times alongside Trump. After Trump took office in January, Musk led the effort, alongside the Department of Government Efficiency project, to find waste and fraud within the federal government.
After joining Trump in the White House, Musk got behind the conservative candidate in the closely watched Wisconsin Supreme Court election, saying the race could affect the &#8220;<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/musk-says-wisconsin-supreme-court-election-is-a-vote-for-which-party-controls-the-house" target="_blank" rel="noopener">entire destiny</a>&#8221; of humanity. Musk&#8217;s America PAC spent millions of dollars on race, but conservative candidate Brad Schimel <a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/wisconsin/?r=50888" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lost</a> to liberal candidate Susan Crawford by 10 percentage points, and the liberals maintained a majority on the court.
Musk, who was regularly seen with the president during the Trump administration&#8217;s first 100 days, has taken a step back from overseeing Trump&#8217;s DOGE initiative.
“I’ll be allocating far more of my time to Tesla&#8230;&#8221; Musk <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/elon-significantly-cut-back-doge-time?author=Daniel+Chaitin&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Elon+To+%E2%80%98Significantly%E2%80%99+Cut+Back+On+DOGE+Time" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> last month.
The Tesla CEO added in his interview on Tuesday that he is committed to leading the electric car company for at least the next five years, <a href="https://x.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1924835630858543332" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a> that he wants “sufficient voting control” to keep Tesla from falling into the hands of activist investors.
“It’s not a money thing,” Musk said. “It’s a reasonable control thing over the future of the company.”
Musk&#8217;s shift back to focusing on Tesla comes after the company saw a drop in revenue and net income over the first quarter of 2025. Tesla stock dropped from $379 at the beginning of January to $222 at the beginning of April. Since then, however, the stock has climbed back up to $349. After Musk became a senior adviser to Trump and pushed for major government spending cuts, Tesla has been targeted by leftist activists who have set fires to and vandalized vehicles and threatened Tesla dealerships.
&#8220;Firing bullets into showrooms and burning down cars is unacceptable. Those people will go to prison, and the people that funded them and organized them will also go to prison. Don&#8217;t worry, we&#8217;re coming for you,&#8221; Musk said on Tuesday&#8217;s video call to the applause of the crowd.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="LIVE: Elon Musk speaks remotely at the Qatar Economic Forum" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iTRY86NEIbg?start=281&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Elon Musk

‘I’ve Done Enough’: Musk Says He Will Spend ‘A Lot Less’ On Future Political Campaigns

Bloomberg News

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

Donald Trump

General

Politics

Qatar

Republicans

Tesla

On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) proposed legislation to discourage the Trump administration from receiving a roughly $400 million luxury aircraft known as the &#8220;Flying Palace&#8221; from Qatar and block money from being spent turning it into the next Air Force One.
Named the &#8220;Presidential Airlift Security Act of 2025,&#8221; the <a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/dav25917.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bill</a> would block the Department of Defense (DoD) from using funds allocated for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to procure, modify, restore, or maintain aircraft previously owned by foreign governments or their representatives for presidential airlift purposes.
&#8220;Donald Trump has shown time and again — he will sell out the American people and the Presidency if it means filling his own pockets,&#8221; Schumer said in a <a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-the-largest-foreign-bribe-to-a-president-in-modern-history-leader-schumer-introduces-bill-to-prohibit-any-foreign-aircraft-from-being-used-as-air-force-one-retrofitting-and-constant-monitoring-of-qatari-plane-would-cost-american-taxpayers-billions-and-would-not-eliminate-all-catastrophic-risks-schumer-will-demand-vote-on-legislation-in-this-years-funding-bills-to-avoid-the-catastrophic_unimaginable-national-security-risks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. &#8220;Not only would it take billions of taxpayer dollars to even attempt to retrofit and secure this plane, but there’s absolutely no amount of modifications that can guarantee it will be secure. It is now on the Senate to prioritize our national security, protect Americans, and ensure that a foreign-owned plane never gets the call sign &#8216;Air Force One.'&#8221;
It was first <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-defends-400-million-flying-palace-offered-as-gift-from-qatar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed</a> a little more than a week ago that President Donald Trump&#8217;s administration was in talks to obtain the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the Qatari royal family. A wave of criticism, including from some who generally support Trump, ensued amid concerns about Qatar spending massive sums of money to gain influence in the United States and using its riches to bankroll the terrorist group Hamas and the Middle Eastern news powerhouse Al Jazeera. The oil-rich government also frequently invites politicians on state-funded junkets to the Middle East, where they are treated to all the luxuries that Qatar has to offer.
Schumer introduced his bill days after <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/schumer-moves-to-inflict-pain-on-trump-over-400-million-flying-palace-from-qatar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">placing</a> a hold on Trump&#8217;s political nominees for the Department of Justice (DOJ) until more clarity is given on the U.S. government&#8217;s plans to receive the jet. He also joined fellow Senate Democrats in <a href="https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-coons-lead-group-of-27-senators-in-introducing-resolution-to-condemn-400-million-airplane-gift-to-trump-from-qatar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unveiling</a> a resolution to condemn the idea, citing an ABC News report with sources <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-administration-poised-accept-palace-sky-gift-trump/story?id=121680511" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claiming</a> the aircraft would be transferred to Trump&#8217;s presidential library foundation shortly before the president leaves office.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt <a href="https://x.com/RichSementa/status/1924471578454016103" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> reporters on Monday the plane is &#8220;not a personal donation or gift&#8221; to the president and &#8220;everyone who wrote that last week should go and correct their stories.&#8221; She also said the donation would be &#8220;accepted according to all legal and ethical obligations&#8221; and the plane would be &#8220;retrofitted to the highest of standards by the Department of Defense and the United States Air Force.&#8221;
Trump, who visited Qatar last week during a Middle East swing and <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/14/boeing-qatar-trump-plane-deal.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">attended</a> the signing ceremony for a deal in which Qatar Airways agreed to purchase up to 210 Boeing jets, dismissed the doubters in a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114492082555622686" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> on Truth Social.
&#8220;The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a Nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114503203859060399" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. &#8220;It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One, until such time as our new Boeings, which are very late on delivery, arrive. Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done. This big savings will be spent, instead, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country. Thank you for your attention to this matter!&#8221;

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY)

Schumer Unveils Bill To Stop Trump From Turning Qatari Jet Into Air Force One

Chuck Schumer

Congress

U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump returns to the United States from his weeklong trip to the Middle East, leaders of almost 50 companies praised the president for securing over $2 trillion in deals.
The president&#8217;s trip to the Middle East resulted in a number of deals, including a $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia, $200 billion in commercial deals between the U.S. and United Arab Emirates, $1.2 trillion economic exchange agreement with Qatar, and $243.5 billion in U.S.-Qatar commercial and defense deals, according to the White House.
The administration is touting the trip as not only historic, but also one that strengthened safety and stability in the Middle East.
“The numbers don’t lie,&#8221; White House Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers told The Daily Wire. &#8220;President Trump secured trillions of dollars in great deals, and his first foreign trip was a huge success. These historic investments and landmark agreements are a direct result of the economic climate President Trump has quickly developed.”
Business leaders who are benefitting from the deals were vociferous in their praise of the president&#8217;s efforts on Friday afternoon. That includes leaders from Lockheed Martin, Palantir, Qualcomm, Amazon, Google, and more.
“We appreciate President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman convening business leaders in Saudi Arabia to strengthen economic ties and drive innovation between our two countries,&#8221; Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said of the U.S. Saudi deals. &#8220;Amazon is excited to partner with HUMAIN, Saudi Arabia’s newly created AI innovation company, to collectively invest more than $5 billion to build a groundbreaking ‘AI Zone’ there, which will bring multiple innovative AWS AI capabilities to Saudi Arabia along with skills training for 100,000 citizens from the Kingdom.”
Ruth Porat, Alphabet and Google President and Chief Investment Officer, also expressed gratitude to Trump for the Saudi deals, praising the &#8220;engagement and policies of the Trump Administration and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who are enabling strong execution to accelerate AI innovation in both countries.&#8221;
&#8220;Together,&#8221; she said, &#8220;we will create highly-skilled jobs and deliver AI training programs to open new, rewarding career pathways.”
DataVolt CEO Rajit Nanda argued that the Saudi partnership was &#8220;made possible in large part due to the enabling technology and trade frameworks advanced during the Trump Administration—policies that championed high-tech exports, strengthened U.S.-Saudi strategic ties, which have empowered entrepreneurial collaboration in the digital era.”
<div id="attachment_921533" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/top-business-leaders-jubilant-over-trumps-economic-success-in-middle-east/president-trump-makes-first-middle-east-trip-of-his-second-term-7" rel="attachment wp-att-921533"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-921533" class="wp-image-921533 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2215290920-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2215290920-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2215290920-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2215290920-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2215290920.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a>ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES &#8211; MAY 15: U.S. President Donald J. Trump tours the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)</div>
And Oracle CEO Safra Catz thanked Trump for his leadership and &#8220;decisive actions,&#8221; actions that allow Oracle to provide &#8220;the world’s most advanced cloud and AI technology to Saudi Arabia.&#8221;
&#8220;Our expanded partnership with the Kingdom will create new opportunities for its economy, deliver better health outcomes for its people, and fortify its alliance with the United States, which will create a ripple effect of peace and prosperity across the Middle East and around the world,&#8221; Catz said.
As for the Quatar deals, Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg touted a historic order, the &#8220;largest-ever for Boeing&#8217;s widebody planes.&#8221;
&#8220;Thank you to President Trump for supporting the agreement, which grows our longstanding partnership with the airline,&#8221; Ortberg said. &#8220;As one of America&#8217;s top exporters, Boeing is proud that our aircraft sales to global customers strengthen U.S. manufacturing and sustain jobs in our factories and at suppliers across the United States.”
Lockheed Martin President and CEO Jim Taiclet promised that &#8220;thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we will help accelerate Qatar’s next-generation air and missile defense capabilities, enabling a more secure and stable region, sustaining American manufacturing jobs, and reinforcing our defense industrial base.”
A spokesman for Northrop Grumman, celebrating Trump&#8217;s deals with the United Arab Emirates, promised: “Just as we have invested in the UAE, such as Northrop Grumman’s grant to the American Community School in Abu Dhabi, we welcome increased partnership and investment by the UAE in our world-class defense sector. This historic trip will increase U.S. jobs and economic strength.”
Parsons President Carey Smith said that his corporation is &#8220;proud to be a part of President Trump’s initiatives to strengthen strategic relations in the UAE,&#8221; and Baker Hughes CEO Lorenzo Simonelli congratulated the president, calling the trip to the United Arab Emirates, &#8220;A key moment that underscores the enduring partnership between two nations committed to innovation, progress, and shared prosperity.&#8221;
&#8220;As we look to the future, energy will remain central to economic growth and broader cooperation that supports stability and opportunity for both countries, and Baker Hughes remains steadfast in our dedication to help both nations meet their goals,&#8221; Simonelli promised.

President Trump Makes First Middle East Trip Of His Second Term

Top Business Leaders Jubilant Over Trump’s Economic Success In Middle East

Economy

Middle East

Saudi Arabia

World

President Donald Trump concluded his four-day Gulf tour on Friday after securing more than $2 trillion in investment agreements.
“In total, President Trump secured over $2 TRILLION in investment agreements with these three Middle Eastern nations — paving the way for a more safe and prosperous future,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt <a href="https://x.com/PressSec/status/1923344314735718669" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced on X</a>.
After four days of traveling to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, where he was met with lavish ceremonies and generous hospitality, Trump is returning home to the United States, where he will meet his new grandson.
“Now it’s time to go back home,” Trump said in Abu Dhabi. “My daughter had a baby — I&#8217;m going to go back home and see that little baby.&#8221;
Here&#8217;s everything the president did on his Gulf tour.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> in Abu Dhabi: &quot;It&#39;s been a tremendous time and now it&#39;s time to go back home. My daughter had a baby — I&#39;m going to go back home and see that little baby.&quot; ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/ATwbJQPiRp">pic.twitter.com/ATwbJQPiRp</a>
&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1923286897561948476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<h3>Saudi Arabia</h3>
Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-arrives-in-saudi-arabia-to-kick-off-high-stakes-middle-east-trip?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Arrives+In+Saudi+Arabia+To+Kick+Off+High+Stakes+Middle+East+Trip" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kicked off his trip</a> Tuesday, landing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with a Saudi F-15 fighter jet escort, where he was greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. After being escorted to the Saudi Royal Court with an escort of Arabian horses, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-secures-historic-investment-deal-from-saudi-arabia-on-first-day-of-middle-east-trip?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=8&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Secures+%E2%80%98Historic%E2%80%99+Investment+Deal+From+Saudi+Arabia+On+First+Day+Of+Middle+East+Trip" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump announced </a>that Saudi Arabia committed to investing $600 billion in the United States.
The investment will initially focus on deals that strengthen energy security, the defense industry, technology leadership, and access to global infrastructure and critical minerals. Deals include Saudi company DataVolt investing $20 billion in AI data centers and energy infrastructure, and Shamekh IV Solutions, LLC set to invest $5.8 billion, including in a Michigan high-capacity IV fluid facility.
Other multinational companies, including Google, Oracle, Salesforce, and Uber, have committed to investing $80 billion in “cutting-edge transformative technologies” in both the United States and Saudi Arabia.
“President Trump is the dealmaker in chief, and he has once again secured a historic deal that strengthens America’s economic dominance and global influence,” the White House said in a statement, adding that the investment will build “economic ties that will endure for generations to come.”
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-calls-on-saudi-arabia-to-join-abraham-accords-my-fervent-hope?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Calls+On+Saudi+Arabia+To+Join+Abraham+Accords%3A+%E2%80%98My+Fervent+Hope%E2%80%99" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TRUMP CALLS ON SAUDI ARABIA TO JOIN ABRAHAM ACCORDS: ‘MY FERVENT HOPE’</a>
Trump also announced the two countries signed the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hours-into-middle-east-trip-trump-announces-largest-defense-sales-deal-in-u-s-history?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=7&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Hours+Into+Middle+East+Trip%2C+Trump+Announces+Largest+Defense+Sales+Deal+In+U.S.+History" target="_blank" rel="noopener">largest defense sales agreement</a> in history, totaling $142 billion, providing Saudi Arabia with air force advancement and space capabilities, air and missile defense, maritime and coastal security, border security and land forces modernization, and information and communication systems.
During a speech later that night, Trump urged Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords.
<div id="attachment_919597" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-919597" class="size-large wp-image-919597" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214859454-864x576.jpg" alt="Trump Saudi" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214859454-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214859454-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214859454-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214859454-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214859454-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214859454-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214859454-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)</div>
“It’s been an amazing thing, the Abraham Accords, and it’s my fervent hope, wish, and even my dream that Saudi Arabia — a place I have such respect for, especially over the last fairly short period of time, what you’ve been able to do — but will soon be joining the Abraham Accords,” Trump said.
During his first term, Trump brokered the Abraham Accords, a groundbreaking agreement between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, that ended decades of formal hostilities. Shortly afterward, Sudan and Morocco also joined the agreement.
Trump has long sought to expand the agreement to include Saudi Arabia, but the ongoing war in Israel has complicated those efforts.
Trump also announced he would lift sanctions on Syria, arguing that removing penalties imposed on the former dictatorship would give the new leadership a chance — despite its leader’s terrorist history.
Trump said removing the sanctions would give Syria “a chance at greatness.”
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-trump-lifting-syria-sanctions-could-transform-the-middle-east?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=How+Trump+Lifting+Syria+Sanctions+Could+Transform+The+Middle+East" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HOW TRUMP LIFTING SYRIA SANCTIONS COULD TRANSFORM THE MIDDLE EAST</a>
The next day, Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whom he described as a “young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter.”
The meeting between Trump and Sharaa was the first meeting between an American president and a Syrian leader in 25 years.
<h3>Qatar</h3>
On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-welcomed-in-qatar-with-parade-of-camels-and-teslas-this-is-what-they-call-perfecto?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=5&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Welcomed+In+Qatar+With+Parade+Of+Camels+And+Teslas%3A+%E2%80%98This+Is+What+They+Call+Perfecto%E2%80%99" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump arrived in Qatar</a> with a fighter jet escort, becoming the first American president to visit the oil-rich Gulf nation. He was greeted by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and escorted by Qatari police in <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922619883935637726" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tesla Cybertrucks</a> to the Amiri Diwan, where he received an elaborate reception featuring Qataris on horses and camels.
Trump thanked the Qataris for the warm greeting, saying that he appreciated the camels and hadn’t “seen camels like that in a long time.”
“That was some greeting. We appreciate it very much.”
Before arriving in Qatar, Trump faced controversy over reports that he is preparing to accept a $400 million Boeing 747 jumbo jet from the Qatari government, intended as a replacement for the aging 40-year-old Air Force One. The plane is reportedly set to be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation shortly before he leaves office. However, during his visit to Qatar, the jet deal took a backseat as Trump announced more massive economic agreements.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-trump-and-rubio-put-america-first-in-100-days?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=How+Trump+And+Rubio+Put+America+First+In+100+Days" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HOW TRUMP AND RUBIO PUT AMERICA FIRST IN 100 DAYS</a>
Qatar signed an agreement with Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, alongside President Trump, to purchase 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines, according to the White House. The purchase is the largest 787 order in the American company’s history.
“It’s the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing, that’s pretty good,” Trump said.  “It’s over $200 billion… Congratulations to Boeing. Get those planes out there!”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> in Qatar: &quot;We&#39;re with you all the way.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/coZWPkOnau">pic.twitter.com/coZWPkOnau</a>
&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922656759765700981?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Qatar also signed a letter of intent to purchase $2 billion worth of MQ-9B Reaper drones and $1 billion in counter-drone technology, becoming the first international customer for Raytheon’s Fixed Site–Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS), designed to neutralize small unmanned aircraft.
Letters of intent were also signed between Qatar and the United States to “further strengthen our security partnership,” the White House said in a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-secures-historic-1-2-trillion-economic-commitment-in-qatar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>, outlining up to $38 billion in potential defense and security-related investments.
“The United States is in a very strong position militarily,” Trump said, sitting next to Al-Thani. “We have the best equipment anywhere in the world and you’re buying a lot of that equipment actually.”
According to Leavitt, the total agreements with Qatar will generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion.
Trump’s warm reception in Qatar stands in contrast to the president’s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/qatar-doesnt-give-things-away-for-free" target="_blank" rel="noopener">June 2017 statements</a> on the country, in which he had accused the nation of backing terrorism.
<div id="attachment_920159" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-920159" class="size-large wp-image-920159" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214411835-864x576.jpg" alt="Trump and Qatari leader" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214411835-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214411835-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214411835-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214411835.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Qatar&#8217;s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Trump (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)</div>
“The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level,” Trump said.
Qatar continues to fund terrorist groups, giving over $2 billion to the Hamas-run government in Gaza, according to the <a href="https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2023/12/19/10-things-to-know-about-hamas-and-qatar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foundation for Defense of Democracies</a>. For several years, Hamas also hosted the leadership of Hamas, though many left Qatar last year.
Before leaving Qatar, Trump visited American troops at the Al Udeid Air Force Base in Qatar — the largest American military facility in the Middle East. Delivering a speech to the troops who he called “tip of the spear” in the fight against the “enemies of civilization” Trump spoke about his Middle East goals and promised to give them a raise.
“You are without a doubt the greatest fighting force in the history of the world,” Trump said. “That’s the way it is. I said it last night. I said it’s strong. We have the strongest military in the world. It’s not even a contest. We have the best equipment, nobody has equipment like us, nobody has the planes or the missiles or anything else.”
<h3>United Arab Emirates</h3>
Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-welcomed-to-uae-with-fighter-jets-and-ceremonial-hair-dances-on-last-leg-of-gulf-tour?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Welcomed+To+UAE+With+Fighter+Jets+and+Ceremonial+Hair+Dances+On+Last+Leg+of+Gulf+Tour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">touched down</a> in the UAE on Thursday with his third fighter jet escort and was greeted by UAE leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, making him the second serving American president to visit the UAE, after former President George W. Bush in 2008.
Trump was welcomed with a ceremony that included dignitaries, music, an honor guard, and Emirati women doing a traditional dance with their hair.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The welcome ceremony in UAE continues! 🇺🇸🇦🇪 <a href="https://t.co/sXqS1IboMN">pic.twitter.com/sXqS1IboMN</a>
&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1922995639455044017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Trump toured the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with Nahyan before announcing his third series of large economic deals.
The United States and the UAE agreed upon $200 billion in “transformative deals” including Boeing and GE Aerospace securing a $14.5 billion commitment from Etihad Airways for 28 Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft and a $4 billion investment by Emirates Global Aluminum to build one of the first new American aluminum smelters in 45 years. Other deals announced relate to the energy, technology, and mineral sectors.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/american-hostage-edan-alexander-reunites-family?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=American+Hostage+Edan+Alexander+Reunites+With+Parents+After+584+Days+In+Hamas+Captivity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AMERICAN HOSTAGE EDAN ALEXANDER REUNITES WITH PARENTS AFTER 584 DAYS IN HAMAS CAPTIVITY</a>
“President Trump’s historic visit to the United Arab Emirates is another opportunity to welcome new partnerships in frontier technologies, health and life sciences, mobility, entertainment, and many other fields,” the White House <a href="https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/1923097611063513298" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
<div id="attachment_920615" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-920615" class="size-large wp-image-920615" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214578262-864x576.jpg" alt="Trump in Abu Dhabi" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214578262-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214578262-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214578262-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2214578262.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />The director-general of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Trump in Abu Dhabi. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)</div>
All of the deals announced were on top of a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-secures-1-4-trillion-uae-investment-deal-for-american-industries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">March $1.4 trillion commitment</a> from the UAE to invest in the sectors of American energy, manufacturing, and technology over the next decade.
During the visit, Trump also visited the interfaith Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, which includes the St. Francis Church, the <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1923312209339318671" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue</a>, and the Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque.
Trump had a strong relationship with the UAE in his first term, most evident in the success of the Abraham Accords, which normalized the Gulf country’s relations with Israel and ushered in religious tolerance.
At the Abrahamic Family House, Trump signed its guest book with a message to the Emirati people.
“It&#8217;s just a message of unity when you look at what we&#8217;ve just seen — great unity, great faith, incredible people with a tremendous leader,” <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1923314106452382018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump said</a>, holding up the book.

UAE-US-DIPLOMACY-TRUMP

Deals And Diplomacy: Here’s Everything Trump Accomplished On His Gulf Tour

Abraham Accords

Syria

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Companies have announced billions in new investments in the United States while President Donald Trump has been traveling and signing deals in the Middle East this week.
The president has traveled to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates so far this week to sign agreements and receive commitments that will generate roughly $2 trillion in trade and investment. At the same time, major companies have announced plans to invest billions more dollars into the United States.
Those corporate investments include: at least $20 billion over the next five years from the medical company <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sanofi-to-invest-at-least-20-billion-in-the-us-through-2030-growing-investments-in-science-and-expanding-domestic-manufacturing-302455566.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sanofi</a>, $3 billion by Kraft Heinz to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/ketchup-maker-kraft-heinz-investing-3-billion-upgrading-us-manufacturing-2025-05-14/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">upgrade</a> its U.S.-based manufacturing, a $1 billion investment from the energy company Carrier that will <a href="https://www.corporate.carrier.com/news/news-articles/202505_carrier-announces-additional-1-billion-investment-us-manufacturing-footprint-advanced-cuttingedge-rd-workforce-expansion.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">create</a> an estimated 4,000 new jobs, a $300 million investment from Anheuser-Busch to <a href="https://www.anheuser-busch.com/newsroom/anheuser-busch-announces-new-300-million-investment-in-manufacturing-operations-across-the-US" target="_blank" rel="noopener">improve</a> the beer-maker’s manufacturing facilities, and a $150 million investment from Siemens Healthineers to <a href="https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/en-us/press-room/press-releases/us-investments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expand</a> production and relocate some manufacturing from Mexico to the United States.
The White House touted the new investments in a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/05/president-trumps-policies-keep-paying-off/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a>.
“While the President is securing historic investments on his trip in Middle East, billions of dollars’ worth of investments on the home front are pouring in. America is returning as the world’s manufacturing powerhouse thanks to President Trump’s leadership, brilliant economic agenda, and willingness to put America first,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told The Daily Wire in a statement.
The recent wave of investments comes as Trump has hopped around the Middle East signing and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-announces-200-billion-in-commercial-deals-with-uae-bringing-total-gulf-investments-to-massive-sum?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Announces+%24200+Billion+In+Commercial+Deals+With+UAE%2C+Bringing+Total+Gulf+Investments+To+Massive+Sum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcing</a> massive economic commitments between the United States and some of the Gulf states.
On Thursday, Trump announced over $200 billion in commercial deals between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The deals include a commitment from Etihad Airways to purchase $14.5 billion worth of aircraft from Boeing and GE Aerospace. Emirates Global Aluminum plans to spend $4 billion to build an aluminum smelter in Oklahoma, the first of such plants built in the United States in 45 years.
On Wednesday, Trump was in Qatar to announce a new defense agreement in which the United States will sell billions-worth of U.S. weaponry to Qatar. Trump also signed an agreement to “generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion,” according to the White House.
Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hours-into-middle-east-trip-trump-announces-largest-defense-sales-deal-in-u-s-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">began</a> his Middle East tour with a visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday with a $142 billion defense sales deal, the largest weapons deal in history. Saudi Arabia made a commitment to invest $600 billion in the United States.

While Trump Pulls In Investments In Middle East Trip, White House Touts Investments On ‘Home Front’

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced over $200 billion in commercial deals agreed upon by the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
The announcement comes on the last leg of Trump&#8217;s Gulf tour, which has led to massive investments and trade deals from both Saudi Arabia and Qatar as well.
“President Trump continues to advance the interests of the American people, enhancing market access for American exporters to strengthen our economic and national security,” the White House said in a statement. “These deals will significantly expand investment in the United States and U.S. market access in the United Arab Emirates.”
The &#8220;transformative deals” include Boeing and GE Aerospace securing a $14.5 billion commitment from Etihad Airways for 28 Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft and a $4 billion investment by Emirates Global Aluminum in Oklahoma to build one of the first new American aluminum smelters in 45 years. Other deals announced relate to the energy, technology, and mineral sectors.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-trumps-middle-east-trip?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Here%E2%80%99s+What+You+Need+To+Know+About+Trump%E2%80%99s+Middle+East+Trip" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRUMP’S MIDDLE EAST TRIP</a>
“President Trump’s historic visit to the United Arab Emirates is another opportunity to welcome new partnerships in frontier technologies, health and life sciences, mobility, entertainment, and many other fields,” the White House <a href="https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/1923097611063513298">said</a>.
The deals are in addition to the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-secures-1-4-trillion-uae-investment-deal-for-american-industries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UAE’s March commitment</a> to investing $1.4 trillion in American energy, manufacturing, and technology over the next decade.
In 2023, the UAE held $35 billion in foreign direct investment in the United States, supporting more than 33,000 American jobs, according to the White House. In 2024, total American goods trade with the UAE reached an estimated $34.4 billion, including a $19.5 billion U.S. trade surplus — the third largest globally.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-calls-on-saudi-arabia-to-join-abraham-accords-my-fervent-hope?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Calls+On+Saudi+Arabia+To+Join+Abraham+Accords%3A+%E2%80%98My+Fervent+Hope%E2%80%99" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TRUMP CALLS ON SAUDI ARABIA TO JOIN ABRAHAM ACCORDS: ‘MY FERVENT HOPE’</a>
Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-welcomed-to-uae-with-fighter-jets-and-ceremonial-hair-dances-on-last-leg-of-gulf-tour?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Welcomed+To+UAE+With+Fighter+Jets+and+Ceremonial+Hair+Dances+On+Last+Leg+of+Gulf+Tour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was greeted</a> by a fighter jet escort, music, honor guard, and Emirati women doing a traditional dance with their hair, upon arrival in the UAE. He met with UAE leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, toured the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and was hosted at a state dinner. Trump was also bestowed with the UAE’s highest civilian honor, the Order of Zayed.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
&quot;I am honored to announce that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan bestows the Order of Zayed upon President Trump&quot; 🇺🇸🇦🇪 <a href="https://t.co/Ymb9r5dB5y">pic.twitter.com/Ymb9r5dB5y</a>
&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1923062148437016626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;In recognition of President Donald Trump’s exceptional efforts to strengthen the longstanding ties of friendship and strategic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America, I am honored to announce that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan bestows the Order of Zayed upon President Trump,&#8221; a speaker announced before the award was presented.
The Burj Khalifa, the skyscraper in Dubai that holds the status as the world’s tallest structure, was also <a href="https://x.com/Scavino47/status/1923079005768483320" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lit up</a> with the American flag.
Trump had a strong relationship with the UAE in his first term, most evident in the success of the Abraham Accords, which normalized the Gulf country’s relations with Israel.
So far in his trip, Trump secured massive trade and defense sales deals, including a $142 billion <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hours-into-middle-east-trip-trump-announces-largest-defense-sales-deal-in-u-s-history?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Hours+Into+Middle+East+Trip%2C+Trump+Announces+Largest+Defense+Sales+Deal+In+U.S.+History" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defense sales dea</a>l with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia also committed to a larger $600 billion investment for the United States during the visit.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-trump-lifting-syria-sanctions-could-transform-the-middle-east?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=How+Trump+Lifting+Syria+Sanctions+Could+Transform+The+Middle+East" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HOW TRUMP LIFTING SYRIA SANCTIONS COULD TRANSFORM THE MIDDLE EAST</a>
On Wednesday, Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-signs-major-defense-deal-with-qatar-despite-past-accusations-of-terror-financing?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Signs+Major+Defense+Deal+With+Qatar+Despite+Past+Accusations+Of+Terror+Financing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">made a defense agreement</a> with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, despite his previous 2017 statements in which he accused Qatar of backing terrorism.
“The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level,” Trump said at the time.
Qatar signed a letter of intent to purchase $2 billion worth of MQ-9B Reaper drones and $1 billion in counter-drone technology, becoming the first international customer for Raytheon’s Fixed Site–Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS), designed to neutralize small unmanned aircraft, <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-secures-historic-1-2-trillion-economic-commitment-in-qatar/">according</a> to the White House.

UAE-US-DIPLOMACY-SUMMIT

Trump Announces $200 Billion In Commercial Deals With UAE, Bringing Total Gulf Investments To Massive Sum

President Donald Trump arrived in the United Arab Emirates with his third fighter jet escort on Thursday, kicking off the final leg of his high-stakes Middle East tour.
Upon touching down in the country&#8217;s capital, Abu Dhabi, Trump was greeted by UAE leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other dignitaries.
Trump is the second serving American president to visit the UAE, after former President George W. Bush in 2008.
Trump was welcomed with a ceremony that included dignitaries, music, an honor guard, and Emirati women doing a traditional dance with their hair.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The welcome ceremony in UAE continues! 🇺🇸🇦🇪 <a href="https://t.co/sXqS1IboMN">pic.twitter.com/sXqS1IboMN</a>
&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1922995639455044017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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So far on the visit, Trump met with Nahyan and toured the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. He is expected to announce economic trade deals with the oil-rich country.
In March, the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-secures-1-4-trillion-uae-investment-deal-for-american-industries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UAE committed</a> to investing $1.4 trillion in American energy, manufacturing, and technology over the next decade.
“This new framework will substantially increase the UAE’s existing investments in the U.S. economy in AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and American manufacturing,” the White House said in a statement announcing the framework.
Trump had a strong relationship with the UAE in his first term, most evident in the success of the Abraham Accords, which normalized the Gulf country’s relations with Israel.
The visit comes after two jam-packed days in the Gulf region where Trump secured massive trade and defense sales deals, including a $142 billion <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hours-into-middle-east-trip-trump-announces-largest-defense-sales-deal-in-u-s-history?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Hours+Into+Middle+East+Trip%2C+Trump+Announces+Largest+Defense+Sales+Deal+In+U.S.+History" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defense sales dea</a>l with Saudi Arabia, which the White House says is the largest in history.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-calls-on-saudi-arabia-to-join-abraham-accords-my-fervent-hope?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Calls+On+Saudi+Arabia+To+Join+Abraham+Accords%3A+%E2%80%98My+Fervent+Hope%E2%80%99" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TRUMP CALLS ON SAUDI ARABIA TO JOIN ABRAHAM ACCORDS: ‘MY FERVENT HOPE’</a>
Trump on Wednesday<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-signs-major-defense-deal-with-qatar-despite-past-accusations-of-terror-financing?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Signs+Major+Defense+Deal+With+Qatar+Despite+Past+Accusations+Of+Terror+Financing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> made a defense agreement</a> with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, despite his previous 2017 statements in which he accused Qatar of backing terrorism.
“The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level,” Trump said at the time.
Qatar signed a letter of intent to purchase $2 billion worth of MQ-9B Reaper drones and $1 billion in counter-drone technology, becoming the first international customer for Raytheon’s Fixed Site–Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS), designed to neutralize small unmanned aircraft.
One of the biggest moments of his trip came on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia when Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, after announcing he would end sanctions on Syria the night before.
“In Syria, which has seen so much misery and death, there is a new government that will hopefully succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace,” Trump said during his speech when he announced the end of the sanctions.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-trumps-middle-east-trip?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Here%E2%80%99s+What+You+Need+To+Know+About+Trump%E2%80%99s+Middle+East+Trip" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRUMP’S MIDDLE EAST TRIP</a>
Following meeting with Sharaa, Trump called him a “young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter.”
The meeting between Trump and Shaara was the first meeting between an American president and a Syrian leader in 25 years.
On Thursday, Sharaa, during a television address, called Trump’s move a &#8220;courageous decision which alleviates the suffering of the people, contributes to their rebirth and lays the foundations for stability in the region,” <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/5/15/donald-trump-live-us-president-signs-multibillion-dollar-deals-with-qatar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported Al Jazeera</a>.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-trump-lifting-syria-sanctions-could-transform-the-middle-east?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=How+Trump+Lifting+Syria+Sanctions+Could+Transform+The+Middle+East" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HOW TRUMP LIFTING SYRIA SANCTIONS COULD TRANSFORM THE MIDDLE EAST</a>
Trump’s team suffered a setback on Thursday, following Russian President Vladimir Putin skipping direct negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Turkey.
When Zelensky landed in Turkey for what he hoped would be face-to-face negotiations with Putin, he was informed that only Putin’s underlings would be present, who <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/zelensky-lands-in-turkey-as-putin-skips-meeting-russia-calls-him-a-clown-and-loser?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Zelensky+Lands+In+Turkey+As+Putin+Skips+Meeting%2C+Russia+Calls+Him+A+%E2%80%98Clown+and+Loser%E2%80%99" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he called</a> “stand-in props.”
In response, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said, “A clown and a loser is talking about respected people.”
Instead, a low-level Russian delegation will meet with a Ukrainian delegation headed by its Defense Minister, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c74nxrr7mwkt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported BBC</a>.

TOPSHOT-UAE-US-DIPLOMACY-SUMMIT

Trump Welcomed To UAE With Fighter Jets and Ceremonial Hair Dances On Last Leg of Gulf Tour

trade

President Donald Trump praised American troops as the &#8220;tip of the spear&#8221; in the fight against the &#8220;enemies of civilization&#8221; in a Thursday speech at an American military base in Qatar.
Trump made the comments to troops at the Al Udeid Air Force Base, the largest American military facility in the Middle East, before departing Qatar for the United Arab Emirates. In his speech, Trump laid out his priorities for the Middle East and promised that American troops would soon get a raise through his proposed budget bill.
“All of you are the tip of the spear, you&#8217;re the finest we have, anywhere in the world, you’re the finest we have, you’re the finest anyone has in the fight against the enemies of civilization,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;You’re the people that are defeating chaos, combating terror, defending our interests, supporting our allies, securing our homeland, and making America incredibly proud, and you know what, making America great again.”
Trump also promised the troops that he would make the U.S. military &#8220;bigger, better, stronger, and more powerful than ever.&#8221;
“You are without a doubt the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. That&#8217;s the way it is. I said it last night. I said it&#8217;s strong. We have the strongest military in the world. It&#8217;s not even a contest. We have the best equipment, nobody has equipment like us, nobody has the planes or the missiles or anything else,&#8221; he said. 
Echoing his speech on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, Trump said he was focused on keeping the peace by projecting American strength.
&#8220;As president, my priority is to end conflicts, not start them — but I will never hesitate to wield American power if it&#8217;s necessary to defend the United States of America or our partners. And this is one of our great partners right here,&#8221; Trump told the troops on Thursday.
The day before his speech, Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-signs-major-defense-deal-with-qatar-despite-past-accusations-of-terror-financing?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Signs+Major+Defense+Deal+With+Qatar+Despite+Past+Accusations+Of+Terror+Financing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signed</a> a defense agreement with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, where the country signed a letter of intent to purchase $2 billion worth of MQ-9B Reaper drones and $1 billion in counter-drone technology. At the same time, Trump has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-defends-400-million-flying-palace-offered-as-gift-from-qatar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">faced criticism</a> over his acceptance of a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar.
In attendance at Thursday&#8217;s speech to the troops were comedian Theo Von and country music singer Lee Greenwood, who sang &#8220;God Bless America&#8221; before Trump took the stage.
Throughout his Middle East trip, Trump has signed defense agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, announced billions of dollars worth of business deals with both countries, and met with the president of Syria, marking the first time the leaders from the two countries have met since 2000. Trump is now headed to the United Arab Emirates to meet with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other top officials.

QATAR-US-DEFENCE-DIPLOMACY

Trump Praises American Troops In Qatar: ‘Tip Of The Spear’ Against ‘Enemies Of Civilization’

Air Force

Executive

Foreign Policy

Military

U.S. Military

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a defense agreement with Qatar&#8217;s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
Unlike the defense sales deal signed with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, which aims to counterbalance Iranian influence in the region, the deal with Qatar risks empowering a nation with a history of supporting terrorism and strong ties to Iran.
Qatar signed a letter of intent to purchase $2 billion worth of MQ-9B Reaper drones and $1 billion in counter-drone technology, becoming the first international customer for Raytheon’s Fixed Site–Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS), designed to neutralize small unmanned aircraft.
Letters of intent were also signed between Qatar and the United States to “further strengthen our security partnership,” the White House said in a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-secures-historic-1-2-trillion-economic-commitment-in-qatar/">statement</a>, outlining up to $38 billion in potential defense and security-related investments.
“The United States is in a very strong position militarily,” Trump said, sitting next to Al-Thani. “We have the best equipment anywhere in the world and you’re buying a lot of that equipment actually.”
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-welcomed-in-qatar-with-parade-of-camels-and-teslas-this-is-what-they-call-perfecto?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Welcomed+In+Qatar+With+Parade+Of+Camels+And+Teslas%3A+%E2%80%98This+Is+What+They+Call+Perfecto%E2%80%99" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TRUMP WELCOMED IN QATAR WITH PARADE OF CAMELS AND TESLAS: ‘THIS IS WHAT THEY CALL PERFECTO’</a>
Trump added that some of the equipment will be on display on Thursday during an event.
Qatar also signed an agreement with Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, alongside President Trump, to purchase 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines, according to the White House. The purchase is the largest 787 order in the American company’s history.
“It’s the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing, that’s pretty good,” Trump said.  “It’s over $200 billion… Congratulations to Boeing. Get those planes out there!”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> in Qatar: &quot;We&#39;re with you all the way.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/coZWPkOnau">pic.twitter.com/coZWPkOnau</a>
&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922656759765700981?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Trump’s warm reception in Qatar stands in contrast to the president&#8217;s previous <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/qatar-doesnt-give-things-away-for-free" target="_blank" rel="noopener">June 2017 statements</a> on the country, in which he had accused the nation of backing terrorism.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-trump-and-rubio-put-america-first-in-100-days?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=How+Trump+And+Rubio+Put+America+First+In+100+Days" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HOW TRUMP AND RUBIO PUT AMERICA FIRST IN 100 DAYS</a>
“The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level,” Trump said.
Since Trump’s remarks, Qatar continues to fund terrorist groups, giving over $2 billion to the Hamas-run government in Gaza, according to the <a href="https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2023/12/19/10-things-to-know-about-hamas-and-qatar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foundation for Defense of Democracies</a>. For several years, Hamas also hosted the leadership of Hamas, though many left Qatar last year.
Qatar, which hosts the significant United States Al Udeid Air Base, became a non-NATO ally to the United States under the Biden administration in 2022.
Trump signed a $142 billion <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hours-into-middle-east-trip-trump-announces-largest-defense-sales-deal-in-u-s-history?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Hours+Into+Middle+East+Trip%2C+Trump+Announces+Largest+Defense+Sales+Deal+In+U.S.+History" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defense sales dea</a>l with Saudi Arabia that will provide Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art war-fighting equipment and services from over a dozen American defense firms.
“Underscoring our commitment to strengthening our defense and security partnership, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed the largest defense sales agreement in history—nearly $142 billion,” the White House said about the deal.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-trumps-middle-east-trip?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Here%E2%80%99s+What+You+Need+To+Know+About+Trump%E2%80%99s+Middle+East+Trip" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRUMP’S MIDDLE EAST TRIP</a>
The deal is part of Saudi Arabia’s larger <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-secures-historic-investment-deal-from-saudi-arabia-on-first-day-of-middle-east-trip" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$600 billion investment</a> commitment for the United States that was also announced on Tuesday.
According to the White House, the defense sales will fall into five categories: air force advancement and space capabilities; air and missile defense; maritime and coastal security; border security and land forces modernization; and information and communication systems upgrades.
The package will also include “extensive training and support to build the capacity of the Saudi armed forces, including enhancement of Saudi service academies and military medical services.”
“This deal represents a significant investment in Saudi Arabia’s defense and regional security, built on American systems and training,” The White House added.

QATAR-US-DIPLOMACY

Trump Signs Major Defense Deal With Qatar Despite Past Accusations Of Terror Financing

Boeing

President Donald Trump touched down in Qatar on Wednesday, where he was greeted by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, making him the first American president to visit the oil-rich Gulf nation.
Upon arrival in Doha, Trump’s motorcade — escorted by Qatari police using <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922619883935637726" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tesla Cybertrucks</a> — was given a lavish ceremonial welcome by Qataris riding ceremonial horses and camels upon arriving at the Amiri Diwan, the official workplace of the Amir.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> arrives at the Amiri Diwan in Doha 🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/CZt28tCBid">pic.twitter.com/CZt28tCBid</a>
&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922621220089983248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Trump saluted as the American National Anthem played inside the Amiri Diwan shortly after his arrival, <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922622194544169390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a video posted</a> to the White House’s Rapid Response X account shows. Trump then greeted the Qatari officials while <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922622908767023235" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Al-Thani greeted</a> the American delegation.
“We’ve been friends for a long time,” Trump said while sitting down with Al-Thani. “We’ve liked each other and we’ve worked with each other and now we can work in the highest capacity and we will bring peace not only here, but I know you’re very much involved in helping us in other regions, like what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine.”
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-trumps-middle-east-trip?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Here%E2%80%99s+What+You+Need+To+Know+About+Trump%E2%80%99s+Middle+East+Trip" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRUMP’S MIDDLE EAST TRIP</a>
He added that he thinks there is “good news” coming out of the negotiations between <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/zelensky-tells-ben-shapiro-hes-open-to-an-audit-on-how-ukraine-spends-u-s-taxpayer-dollars?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Zelensky+Tells+Ben+Shapiro+He%E2%80%99s+Open+To+An+Audit+On+How+Ukraine+Spends+U.S.+Taxpayer+Dollars" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russia and Ukraine</a>.
Touting his history in construction, Trump complimented the Amiri Diwan, pointing out its “perfect marble.”
“This is what they call perfecto,” Trump said. “Just a great job you’ve done and what a beautiful place.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> to the Emir of Qatar: &quot;It&#39;s been a very loyal, great, beautiful friendship&quot; 🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/JKvOYBEkru">pic.twitter.com/JKvOYBEkru</a>
&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922623673795592500?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Trump also thanked the Qataris for the warm greeting, saying that he appreciated the camels and hadn’t “seen camels like that in a long time.”
“That was some greeting. We appreciate it very much.”
Al-Thani welcomed Trump, and pointed out that Trump is the first American president to visit Qatar.
“We are extremely honored to have you here,” he said. “It’s a historic visit and I don’t know if you know, you are the first American president officially to visit Qatar so we are very honored.”
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-trump-and-rubio-put-america-first-in-100-days?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=How+Trump+And+Rubio+Put+America+First+In+100+Days" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HOW TRUMP AND RUBIO PUT AMERICA FIRST IN 100 DAYS</a>
Trump’s trip initially got off to a controversial start following reports that the president is preparing to accept a $400 million Boeing 747 jumbo jet from Qatar, which would be available for Trump to use in lieu of Air Force One. Shortly before he leaves office, the plane would then be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation.
The gift has caused <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/schumer-moves-to-inflict-pain-on-trump-over-400-million-flying-palace-from-qatar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bipartisan uproar</a> with critics who say it’s a signal that Qatar — a massive funder and enabler of terrorist groups — is trying to gain influence in the Trump administration.
Trump defended the gift as an affordable way to replace the 40-year-old Air Force One.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-calls-on-saudi-arabia-to-join-abraham-accords-my-fervent-hope?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Calls+On+Saudi+Arabia+To+Join+Abraham+Accords%3A+%E2%80%98My+Fervent+Hope%E2%80%99" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TRUMP CALLS ON SAUDI ARABIA TO JOIN ABRAHAM ACCORDS: ‘MY FERVENT HOPE’</a>
“So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40-year-old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane,” <a href="https://x.com/TrumpDailyPosts/status/1921734060923142301" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he posted</a>. “Anybody can do that! The Dems are World Class Losers!!!”
The warm visit stands in contrast to Trump’s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/qatar-doesnt-give-things-away-for-free" target="_blank" rel="noopener">June 2017 views</a> on Qatar, when he accused the country of backing terrorism.
“The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level, and in the wake of that conference, nations came together and spoke to me about confronting Qatar over its behavior,” Trump said. “So we had a decision to make:  Do we take the easy road, or do we finally take a hard but necessary action?  We have to stop the funding of terrorism.”

Trump Welcomed In Qatar With Parade Of Camels And Teslas: ‘This Is What They Call Perfecto’

On Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that he would slow the process of confirming political nominees for the Department of Justice (DOJ) until more clarity is given on President Donald Trump&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-defends-400-million-flying-palace-offered-as-gift-from-qatar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plan</a> to receive a roughly $400 million luxury aircraft known as the &#8220;Flying Palace&#8221; from Qatar.
The move comes after sources told <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-administration-poised-accept-palace-sky-gift-trump/story?id=121680511" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC News</a> that Attorney General Pam Bondi provided a legal memo to White House lawyer David Warrington and they determined it was &#8220;legally permissible&#8221; for the donation of the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to be conditioned on transferring ownership to the Trump presidential library foundation shortly before the end of the president&#8217;s term.
&#8220;This is not just naked corruption, it is also a grave national security threat,&#8221; Schumer said in a Senate floor speech. &#8220;So, in light of the deeply troubling news of a possible Qatari-funded Air Force One, and the reports that the attorney general personally signed off on this clearly unethical deal, I am announcing a hold on all DOJ political nominees until we get more answers.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenSchumer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenSchumer</a>: &#8220;In light of the deeply troubling news of a possible Qatari-funded Air Force One and the reports that the Attorney General personally signed off on this clearly unethical deal I am announcing a hold on all DOJ political nominees until we get more answers.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/0TFPTWnxJM">pic.twitter.com/0TFPTWnxJM</a>
— CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1922301849857561063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Schumer listed a number of questions focused on security risks and seeking clarity on whether taxpayers would be on the hook for the plane.
The top Democrat said the DOJ’s Foreign Agents Registration Act Unit needs to “disclose all activities by Qatari foreign agents inside the US that could benefit President Trump or the Trump Organization.&#8221; He also declared that Bondi &#8220;must testify before both the House and the Senate to explain why gifting Donald Trump a private jet does not violate the Emoluments Clause — which requires congressional approval — or any ethics law.&#8221;
A hold requires Senate majority leadership to schedule a floor vote for a nominee, bypassing the faster unanimous consent process that would allow the upper chamber to confirm the president&#8217;s picks in batches. Democrats have employed the hold strategy and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/schumer-intervenes-block-trumps-us-attorney-nominees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">other</a> tactics to stymie other Trump nominees.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngpt6czKdiw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signaled</a> on Monday that Republicans would move forward with Trump&#8217;s picks, adding that he hoped Democrats would stop their &#8220;pointless obstruction&#8221; because allowing the upper chamber to confirm nominees would allow lawmakers more room to legislate and spend more time in their states. &#8220;But if we have to do this the hard way, we will,&#8221; Thune said. &#8220;We’re going to get the president’s team in place.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
It’s pretty clear that obstructing, not legislating, is Democrats’ priority right now.
Since we’re not able to consider the GENIUS Act this week, thanks to Democrats, we’re going to turn to nominations – another area where they have made obstruction the name of the game. <a href="https://t.co/n05UyFZdbf">pic.twitter.com/n05UyFZdbf</a>
— Leader John Thune (@LeaderJohnThune) <a href="https://twitter.com/LeaderJohnThune/status/1922017202061918510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Qatar is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, and it spends massive sums of money to gain influence in the United States. It also uses its riches to bankroll the terrorist group Hamas and the Middle Eastern news powerhouse Al Jazeera. The oil-rich government frequently invites politicians on state-funded junkets to the Middle East, where they are treated to all the luxuries that Qatar has to offer.
Amid a torrent of criticism, including many who generally support Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-05-11/trump-set-to-accept-luxury-747-from-qatar-to-use-as-air-force-one-abc-news-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>, &#8220;Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws. President Trump’s administration is committed to full transparency.&#8221;
Trump, who is expected to visit Qatar this week during a swing through the Middle East, also dismissed the concerns in a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114492082555622686" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> on Truth Social.
&#8220;So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane. Anybody can do that! The Dems are World Class Losers!!! MAGA,&#8221; Trump said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

Schumer Moves To Inflict Pain On Trump Over $400 Million ‘Flying Palace’ From Qatar

Charles Schumer

Department of Justice

President Trump signs an executive order to stop Big Pharma from charging Americans more than their European counterparts. Stocks surge after tariffs are slashed, as the U.S. and China announce a temporary truce in the trade war. And, Air Force 1 needs an update. Will Trump accept the offer of a $400 million “flying palace” from Qatar?
It’s Tuesday, May 13, and this is the news you need to know to start your day.
Morning Wire is available on video! You can watch today’s episode here:
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<h2>Trump EO To Lower Drug Prices</h2>
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Topline: President Trump signed what he called “one of the most consequential Executive Orders in our Country’s history” on Monday to dramatically lower the prices of prescription drugs.
Trump said his newest executive order would lower drug prices in the U.S. by up to 80% by implementing the “most favored nation” policy, cutting out industry “middlemen,” and compelling the European Union and other allies to pay for research and development of various drugs. He argued that since other nations set price controls for drugs, it’s been America that’s left taking on all these research and development costs.
“Starting today, the U.S. will no longer subsidize the healthcare of foreign countries,” Trump said. “We will no longer tolerate profiteering and price gouging from Big Pharma. But again, it was really the countries that forced Big Pharma to do things that, frankly, I’m not sure they were comfortable doing.”
The order will allow Americans to buy drugs directly from manufacturers, cutting out pharma “middlemen.” These so-called “middlemen,” pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), work with insurance providers to negotiate prices with drug companies in exchange for including the drugs in their coverage. Critics say PBMs are not transparent and don’t have an incentive to lower drug prices for Americans. The order also sets a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-prescription-drugs-prices-most-favored-nation-4c620a32ccd193b793ba1558f3fe93e0">30-day deadline</a> for HHS to work with drugmakers to reduce the costs of these prescription drugs. If a deal is not reached, a new rule will kick in that will effectively lower the drug price to what other nations are paying for them.
“The fundamental problem in healthcare is we&#8217;ve had non-competitive markets,” Dr. Marty Makary, the head of the Food and Drug Administration, <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1921938509826298179">said</a> on Monday. “We can do little things around the edges, or we can transform those markets to competitive markets and that&#8217;s what this executive order does today.&#8221;
Democrats, who as a general rule have opposed President Trump’s policies, have remained mostly silent on this executive order. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), an independent and democratic socialist who caucuses with the Democrats, said that he agrees with Trump about the high prices of prescription drugs, but he did not back this EO, arguing that it would be blocked by the courts. Trump implemented a similar regulation for certain cancer drugs during his first term. The Biden administration, however, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-says-he-will-sign-executive-order-aimed-at-lowering-drug-prices-2a5b9b28">abandoned</a> the regulation after a court struck it down on procedural grounds. Sanders also made it clear that he doesn&#8217;t agree that the European Union or Canada needs to pay their &#8220;fair share&#8221; – he thinks prices should be lowered for everyone.
<h2>Stock Market Soars As U.S./China Slash Tariffs</h2>
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Topline: Stocks soared Monday after the United States and China formally agreed to a temporary trade deal that will dramatically lower tariffs across the board.
After formal negotiations in Switzerland last weekend, China agreed to cut tariffs on American imports from 125% to just 10%, while the United States will cut rates from 145% to 10%. Beijing also agreed to eliminate or suspend non-tariff countermeasures against the United States, which means that their ban on rare earth mineral exports could come to an end.
&#8220;Yesterday, we achieved a total reset with China,” President Trump <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1921928176286020061">said</a> on Monday. “After productive talks in Geneva, both sides now agree to reduce the tariffs imposed after April 2nd to 10% for 90 days as negotiators continue on the largest structural issues.&#8221;
This deal is a stunning reversal of hostilities — ahead of last weekend’s meetings, for example, even Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent seemed to think a deal was a long way off, saying his goal was “de-escalation… not a big trade deal.”
Clearly, the Chinese were more willing to negotiate than many expected — Beijing signed on to a joint statement that referenced a “spirit of mutual opening, continued communication, cooperation, and mutual respect.” That’s quite a different message than we heard last month, when the Chinese were calling the U.S. bullies who would be made to pay. As more proof of the improvement in relations, the two sides also agreed to establish a formal process for streamlined trade talks in the future, including using a third country as a mediator.
However: The Trump administration has made clear that while it is willing to open up the flow of certain Chinese goods, it wants to break U.S. reliance on essential imports like weapons, technology, and pharmaceuticals.
“The United States will continue a strategic rebalancing in many areas that were exposed as supply chain weaknesses during COVID,” Secretary Bessent <a href="https://x.com/CookedGooseinFL/status/1921880651646611609">said</a> on Monday. “Whether it’s medicines, whether it’s semi-conductors, steel … we will continue moving towards U.S. independence or reliable supplies from allies.”
Following news of the deal, the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped more than 1000 points, the S&amp;P 500 rose more than 3%, erasing all its losses from last month, and the NASDAQ shot up more than 4%, marking a 20% increase from its recent low in April.
<h2>&#8220;Flying Palace&#8221; To Replace Air Force One?</h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-919345" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/SEGMENT-HEADERS.00_02_33_26.Still003.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="360" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/SEGMENT-HEADERS.00_02_33_26.Still003.jpeg 640w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/SEGMENT-HEADERS.00_02_33_26.Still003-300x169.jpeg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></div>
Topline: Trump is off to the Middle East this week for what the White House promises to be a trip of dealmaking and diplomacy. But the president’s trip is off to a controversial start thanks to a story about a $400 million Qatari airplane.
On Sunday, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-administration-poised-accept-palace-sky-gift-trump/story?id=121680511">ABC News</a> reported that the Qatari royal family planned to give Trump a $400 million super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet described as a “floating palace.” The plane would reportedly be available for Trump to use in lieu of Air Force One by the end of his term, and then – according to some initial reports – transferred to his presidential library. Trump says it’s merely the Qataris helping the United States replace Air Force One, which is 40 years old, and, according to Trump, in need of some serious upgrades. Speaking to reporters before departing for the Middle East yesterday, Trump said the Qataris knew Boeing had delayed production of the new jet he wanted, and stepped in to help.
“I think that was a very nice gesture,” the president <a href="https://x.com/factpostnews/status/1921942334930907441">said</a>. &#8220;Now, I could be a stupid person and say &#8216;Oh no, we don’t want a free plane&#8217; … I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer.”
However, not everyone sees this as just a goodwill gesture. Qatar is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, and uses its wealth to gain influence in the United States – and many, many other countries. It frequently invites politicians on luxurious, state-funded junkets to the Middle East. But that influence-buying sparks suspicion, because Qatar also uses its oil money to bankroll Hamas terrorists and Middle Eastern news powerhouse Al Jazeera. The country has also been accused of a lengthy list of human rights violations, so any collaboration with the Qataris is bound to raise some eyebrows.
Notable MAGA loyalists, including pro-Trump activist Laura Loomer, were quick to <a href="https://x.com/LauraLoomer/status/1921615017138618439">condemn</a> the decision, warning that accepting the plane was bad optics at best, and a security risk at worst. Trump, for his part, is staying on the offensive, calling accusations of conflict of interest “fake news.”
Qatar’s media attaché to the United States has been making the rounds since the ABC story broke, telling reporters that the aircraft transfer would only be used temporarily, and that nothing has been finalized yet.

MorningWire-0428-2

Morning Brief: Qatar Force One And Trump’s ‘Consequential’ Drug Price Plan

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