Franco Ordonez

I spoke with Stephen Cook at the Council on Foreign Relations, who told me that the Gulf leaders know what Trump wants.

Now, Trump also plans to visit Al Udeid air base outside of Doha in Qatar, where he'll speak with U.S. troops stationed there.

Now, Trump also plans to visit Al Udeid air base outside of Doha in Qatar, where he'll speak with U.S. troops stationed there.

Now, Trump also plans to visit Al Udeid air base outside of Doha in Qatar, where he'll speak with U.S. troops stationed there.

Well, I mean, I'm sure it'll be part of the conversation and talks about updates on ceasefire efforts, but it's more likely to be behind closed doors because, again, there's just been such little progress as of late. Now, the Qataris, for example, have been involved in those talks, hosting negotiations in Doha between Hamas and Israel.

Well, I mean, I'm sure it'll be part of the conversation and talks about updates on ceasefire efforts, but it's more likely to be behind closed doors because, again, there's just been such little progress as of late. Now, the Qataris, for example, have been involved in those talks, hosting negotiations in Doha between Hamas and Israel.

Well, I mean, I'm sure it'll be part of the conversation and talks about updates on ceasefire efforts, but it's more likely to be behind closed doors because, again, there's just been such little progress as of late. Now, the Qataris, for example, have been involved in those talks, hosting negotiations in Doha between Hamas and Israel.

And one reason Cook says that Gulf leaders shower Trump with such lavishness and big business deals is it insulates them. It insulates them from any extra pressure that the U.S. may want to impose on them to either take action on Gaza, for example, if they're reluctant to do so.

And one reason Cook says that Gulf leaders shower Trump with such lavishness and big business deals is it insulates them. It insulates them from any extra pressure that the U.S. may want to impose on them to either take action on Gaza, for example, if they're reluctant to do so.

And one reason Cook says that Gulf leaders shower Trump with such lavishness and big business deals is it insulates them. It insulates them from any extra pressure that the U.S. may want to impose on them to either take action on Gaza, for example, if they're reluctant to do so.

I will say that it's worth noting that the president did confirm on social media last night that a deal has been struck with Hamas to release the last American hostage who's been held since October of 2023. Right.

I will say that it's worth noting that the president did confirm on social media last night that a deal has been struck with Hamas to release the last American hostage who's been held since October of 2023. Right.

I will say that it's worth noting that the president did confirm on social media last night that a deal has been struck with Hamas to release the last American hostage who's been held since October of 2023. Right.

Yeah, it does feel a little bit like deja vu. I mean, on that last trip, the Saudis really rolled out the red carpet for Trump and announced billions of dollars in investments. On this trip, Trump will boast new investments, including a promise by the Saudis to invest $600 billion in the U.S., and pledges from UAE to spend $1.4 trillion.

Yeah, it does feel a little bit like deja vu. I mean, on that last trip, the Saudis really rolled out the red carpet for Trump and announced billions of dollars in investments. On this trip, Trump will boast new investments, including a promise by the Saudis to invest $600 billion in the U.S., and pledges from UAE to spend $1.4 trillion.

Yeah, it does feel a little bit like deja vu. I mean, on that last trip, the Saudis really rolled out the red carpet for Trump and announced billions of dollars in investments. On this trip, Trump will boast new investments, including a promise by the Saudis to invest $600 billion in the U.S., and pledges from UAE to spend $1.4 trillion.

And just this weekend, the White House acknowledged, as you noted, that they're in discussions with the Qataris about possibly accepting a luxury plane that could serve as a temporary Air Force One until the new one is finished. ABC was the first to report this. And if it happens, it would be one of the first or the biggest foreign gifts ever received by the U.S. government.

And just this weekend, the White House acknowledged, as you noted, that they're in discussions with the Qataris about possibly accepting a luxury plane that could serve as a temporary Air Force One until the new one is finished. ABC was the first to report this. And if it happens, it would be one of the first or the biggest foreign gifts ever received by the U.S. government.

And just this weekend, the White House acknowledged, as you noted, that they're in discussions with the Qataris about possibly accepting a luxury plane that could serve as a temporary Air Force One until the new one is finished. ABC was the first to report this. And if it happens, it would be one of the first or the biggest foreign gifts ever received by the U.S. government.

And it's raising a lot of legal and ethical concerns. And Trump and the White House are really pushing back on those concerns, charging that this would be a transparent and in full compliance with any laws.