By OBSERVERS TIMES.
DOHA, QATAR – President Donald Trump’s visit to Qatar on Wednesday showcased a significant shift in relations, marking the culmination of what has been described as a successful charm offensive by the Gulf emirate. The visit was underscored by the promised gift of a luxury jetliner to the former president.
During a red-carpet ceremony in Doha, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, welcomed President Trump, expressing enthusiasm for the visit. “We are very excited,” the emir said. “I know that you want to bring peace to this region.”
President Trump, who has previously described the emir as a “great gentleman” and a “friend,” praised the opulent surroundings, calling the white marble construction “perfecto.” He also commended the emir’s mediation efforts in conflicts across the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine. “We’ve liked each other and worked with each other,” Trump said. “And now we can work in the highest capacity.”
The promised luxury jetliner gift, however, remained unmentioned during the public interactions between the two leaders. President Trump has previously stated that he would be “stupid” to decline such a generous gift, despite significant opposition from both Democrats and some of his own MAGA supporters.
This visit represents a dramatic reversal in the relationship between the United States and Qatar. Eight years ago, President Trump had harshly criticized Qatar, accusing it of being “a funder of terrorism at a very high level.” At that time, he aligned himself with Qatar’s regional rivals, who had imposed a severe blockade on Doha, and called for an end to what he described as the country’s “extremist ideology.”
The presidential visit, which will conclude with a lavish state dinner on Wednesday night, highlights the significant diplomatic turnaround and the controversial gift that has become an important part of the story.
