\u201cAs soon as I found out that he\u2019s coming to refuel, I said I\u2019m not gonna allow him to take off unless I come and say hello to him,\u201d Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani told reporters while sitting beside the U.S. president aboard the aircraft. \u201cThank you very much, Mr President, it\u2019s always great seeing you.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Donald](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/YOHDOOCJBRFADFQ3FVMJQPJ4OY.jpg\")
Trump invited the Emir of Qatar aboard Air Force One during a stop-off in the country en-route to Malaysia. Saul Loeb\/AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n
Trump was all smiles. \u201cWell, the Emir is one of the great rulers of the world, not just the Middle East. He\u2019s beloved and respected by his country,\u201d the president said. \u201cWe\u2019ve done a lot together, especially in the last year. What we\u2019ve done is incredible, peace in the Middle East. And they were a very big factor in it, so I just want to thank you.\u201d <\/p>\n
Earlier this month, the Trump administration brokered a temporary ceasefire to the conflict in Gaza, focusing on the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages, the easing of blockades and facilitating the distribution of aid. <\/p>\n
While critics question the longevity of that arrangement, given lingering uncertainty over terms of a lasting peace and Israel\u2019s alleged violation of the current stay in hostilities on multiple occasions since, the MAGA White House has sung Qatar\u2019s praises for its pivotal role as a mediator and financier of the deal.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/TMOXLFF2FRHAPIXIHLLNN4FCEY.jpg\")
Trump’s relations with the Emir have faced scrutiny after the repressive Gulf state gifted him a $400 million jet earlier in May. Roberto Schmidt\/Getty Images <\/p>\n
Trump\u2019s acceptance of a $400 million aircraft<\/a> from the Qatari state\u2014which has faced fierce international criticism for human rights abuses over years, particularly concerning migrant labor, freedom of expression and LGBTQ+ rights\u2014came as he announced a $1.2 trillion economic partnership between D.C. and Doha, raising concerns over potential conflict of interest. <\/p>\n His warm ties to the Qatari Emir mark a significant departure from relations during his first stint in the White House. In June 2017, he expressed support for a blockade against the country by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt over Qatar\u2019s alleged support for extremist groups in the region. <\/p>\n \u201cQatar has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level,\u201d the president then said<\/a> in remarks made at a White House Rose Garden appearance. \u201cThe time had come to call on Qatar to end its funding\u2026 and its extremist ideology,\u201d he went on, doubling down on those sentiments when he told crowds in Iowa at a rally three days later: \u201cWe cannot let these incredibly rich nations fund radical Islamic terror or terrorism of any kind.\u201d<\/p>\n