During his recent Middle East tour from May 13 to 16, 2025, President Donald Trump visited three countries. These countries were Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The official purpose of the trip focused on economic partnerships, regional diplomacy, and personal engagements with key leaders. Unofficially, it involved a meeting with authoritarians from five countries. Two of these leaders are known criminals. The others are suspected but not convicted of crimes. There was little mention of the humanitarian collapse in Gaza. The destruction of cities and towns housing millions was barely addressed. Nonetheless, one of them is eager to fly in a brand-new airplane, a gift from Qatar.
Trump’s visit raised ethical and moral concerns. Here are some that I considered.
Ethical and Moral Concerns
Conflict of Interest
- Business Deals: The Trump Organization announced luxury real estate and golf projects in Saudi Arabia. They also announced projects in Qatar and the UAE during or shortly after the trip. Don Jr. and Eric were obeying orders.
- Ethical Issue: Critics argue Trump is using his political influence to enrich his family business. This blurs the line between diplomacy and personal gain. The press essentially ignored these ventures.
- Accepting a gift in a luxury 747 from Qatar to use as Air Force One. It is not a gift to the USA, as Trump likes to say. It is a gift indirectly to Donald Trump. After his term, the 747 will be parked in Florida.
Legitimizing Controversial Leaders
- Trump met with leaders like:
- Mohammed bin Salman, widely implicated in the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mr. Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident journalist, was killed by agents of the Saudi government at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The New York Times concluded that the murder was premeditated by a team connected to Mahammed bin Salman.
- Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former militant once affiliated with al-Qaeda. He met with him in Saudi Arabia.
- Ethical Issue: These meetings grant legitimacy to leaders with serious human rights concerns. They have violent pasts. There is no addressing of accountability. Trump and the MAGA movement have obviously endorsed violence.
Abandonment of Democratic and Human Rights Values
- Notably absent: Any pressure on host countries to tackle political repression, women’s rights, or labor exploitation. Trump did not urge Middle East leaders to discuss politics, women’s rights, and the war in Gaza.
- Ethical Issue: The U.S. appeared to favor economic and military deals over its stated commitment to democratic principles and human rights.
Undermining U.S. Diplomatic Norms
- Excluded Israel and Palestine from the tour—two key players in any Middle East peace effort. This was unfortunate. The four leaders that Trump met with were authoritarians. Netanyahu should have been included. He is an authoritarian, also. But the war in Gaza is murderous and needs to be brought to a stop.
- Ethical Issue: Sidestepping these core issues in favor of business deals suggests a shift away from balanced diplomacy. This indicates a move toward transactional foreign policy. Trump was not interested in being on TV and making “deals” with the leaders.
Security Concerns
- Meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly designated a terrorist, raised alarms about normalizing relations with figures earlier considered national security threats. s
- Ethical Issue: This undermines U.S. credibility in counter-terrorism and sends mixed signals about alliances.
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