White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently pushed back against accusations suggesting that President Donald Trump was financially benefiting from his time in office.
She described these claims as “frankly ridiculous” during a Friday press briefing when questioned about the involvement of Trump’s family in his upcoming trip to the Middle East.
Family Involvement in the President’s Trip
During the press briefing, Leavitt was asked whether President Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric, as well as his son-in-law Jared Kushner, would be accompanying him on his trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
She responded that she was not tracking the details of the family’s participation but emphasized that the “First Family is welcome to join.”
Leavitt also praised them, saying, “They are great people, great to be around.”
Trump Organization’s Presence in the Middle East
The president’s trip will span a three-and-a-half-day period, with his first stop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
During the visit, the Trump Organization’s business interests in the region were under discussion.
The company has been involved in developing luxury properties in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, including a few recent deals.
Eric Trump, who is the Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization, visited the region last week, continuing the organization’s expansion.
Jared Kushner, who previously served in the White House, founded a private equity firm after leaving office and reportedly received a $2 billion investment from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Leavitt Defends Trump’s Integrity
A follow-up question during the briefing raised whether the president would meet with any of the individuals involved in the family’s business ventures or visit any properties during his trip.
Leavitt firmly responded that she was unaware of any such plans and reiterated her stance that the idea of Trump acting in his own financial interest was “ridiculous.”
She went on to highlight Trump’s sacrifice in leaving behind a successful real estate career to serve the public.
“He left a life of luxury for public service, not just once, but twice,” Leavitt said.
She also pointed out that the American people trusted him to put the country first, which led to his re-election.
Comparing Trump’s Presidency to Biden’s
Leavitt further emphasized that Trump has “lost money” during his presidency, a point she believes has been overlooked when it comes to President Joe Biden.
She suggested that Biden, a career politician, has profited from his time in office.
“That is not what President Trump does,” Leavitt said, asserting that the White House operates with the highest ethical standards.
Ongoing Trump Business Ventures in the Middle East
Several Trump-branded projects have been launched in the Middle East, with Riyadh being the first destination on the president’s upcoming trip.
In December 2024, the Trump Organization announced plans to build a Trump Tower and a golf community in Riyadh.
Additionally, a Trump Tower is planned for Jeddah, which will overlook the Persian Gulf.
Eric Trump also revealed plans for a Trump-branded project in Abu Dhabi, with expectations for completion in the “next year or so.”
Abu Dhabi will be the third stop on the president’s Middle East tour.
Major Announcements from the Trump Organization
The Trump Organization also made several announcements regarding new developments in the region.
On April 29, it revealed plans for the Middle East’s “first and only Trump International Hotel & Tower” to be constructed in Dubai, followed by a golf resort project in Qatar.
Eric Trump was photographed inspecting a model of the property during his recent trip to the region.
The Trump Organization also has a Trump International Golf Club in Dubai, which opened before these recent announcements.
Trump’s Business Interests and Presidential Precedent
When President Trump took office in 2017, he chose not to divest from his business interests.
Instead, he placed the management of the Trump Organization in the hands of his sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr.
This move broke with presidential precedent, as previous presidents had either divested from their businesses or placed them in a blind trust to avoid conflicts of interest.