Trump's latest statements about his plans for Gaza revive an idea that he and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have previously promoted. Trump sees Gaza through the prism of its real estate potential, rather than its humanitarian or political context for its residents. After declaring that the US would "take over the Gaza Strip" and "own it," Donald Trump said:
"We have an opportunity to do something that could be phenomenal. And I don't want to be cute. I don't want to be a smartass. But 'The Riviera of the Middle East,' it could be something like that... it could be really magnificent."
This stance is reminiscent of Kushner's statements in a Harvard interview in February 2024, when he said that the Gaza Strip could have "great value if people focused on building a place to live." He added that, from an Israeli perspective, he would do his best to "relocate the people and then clean up the area."
Trump, meanwhile, has even suggested that Palestinians would not be allowed to return to Gaza. "They won't go back because they will have much better housing," he told Fox News on February 10.
All of this indicates that the Middle East is not just a political issue for Trump and his family, but also a business issue.
They're not buying real estate, they're selling their brand - Trump
This region has become an increasing focus of The Trump Organization, a real estate and hospitality conglomerate currently run by Trump's sons, Eric and Donald Jr.
Over the past few years, The Trump Organization has entered into multiple agreements with Saudi real estate company Dar Global - the international arm of Saudi firm Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company.
A Trump-branded luxury hotel and golf resort is under construction in Oman, while The Trump Organization and Dar Global have announced two new Trump Towers, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Trump already owns a golf club in Dubai, opened in 2017 and built in partnership with DAMAC Properties, owned by Hussain Sajwani. In January 2025, Sajwani appeared alongside Trump at a press conference where it was announced that DAMAC would invest "at least" $20 billion in new data centers across the United States.
New deals in Oman, Jeddah and Dubai see The Trump Organization design, manage and brand the towers and luxury resort. These deals are primarily about branding, not ownership - the Trump family makes millions of dollars just from using their name.
What about Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia, a key US ally in the Middle East, is becoming increasingly central to the Trump family's business interests in the region.
In addition to its projects with Dar Global, The Trump Organization also works closely with LIV Golf, one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent and controversial sports investments. The Trump Organization owns numerous golf courses around the world and has already received money from LIV Golf to organize several tournaments at its courses in the United States.
Meanwhile, Affinity Partners, a private investment firm run by Jared Kushner and separate from The Trump Organization, has established close ties with Saudi Arabia and its sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The PIF, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman, has invested $2 billion in Kushner's firm, Affinity Partners. Several other major Gulf investors have also backed Kushner's project, including the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi-based asset management firm Lunate.
Kushner also has significant investments in Israel, particularly in the insurance company Phoenix Holdings and the Shlomo Group.
Is there a conflict of interest?
Although Trump resigned from all management positions at his companies back in 2016 when he was first elected president, his family has remained active in his political activities and campaigns, despite still being involved in business in this part of the world.
Jared Kushner has used contacts he gained during his previous tenure as an advisor to the Trump administration to expand his investments in the Middle East. His close ties to the Saudi royal family have been particularly criticized.
However, Kushner defended himself in an interview with the American portal Axios in February 2024, saying: "If you ask me about the work we did in the White House, my answer to the critics is: let them name a single decision we made that was not in the best interest of America."
Does Trump really see Gaza as an investment project?
Both Trump and Kushner clearly show an interest in developing Gaza as a real estate project, not as a home for Palestinians, who currently number more than 2 million there.
"People from all over the world will live there. Make it an international, incredible place. The potential of the Gaza Strip is incredible," Trump said.
These statements have provoked bitter reactions from the Palestinians and swift condemnation from many governments around the world. There is also great skepticism about the real feasibility of such a plan. However, given the growing business interests of The Trump Organization in the Middle East, as well as unambiguous statements from Trump and his son-in-law, it seems that they are indeed seriously considering this idea.
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