America Has Never Seen a President as Corrupt as Trump: The New Republic

In an opinion piece for The New Republic, Alex Shephard sharply criticized Trump’s Middle East trip, describing it as less about diplomacy and more about “business, business and business.”

The piece argues Qatar’s overt courting of Trump exemplifies how foreign leaders seek favor through personal relationships rather than official diplomacy, perfectly embodying Trump’s second-term style of governance. I Photo: The White House Facebook

Shephard pointed to the $600 billion investment pledge from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—himself controversial for ordering journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder during Trump’s first term—as a sign of the transactional nature of the visit.

The trip’s corruption was underscored by the controversy over Qatar’s proposed $400 million “palace in the sky” Boeing 747, which Trump intends to use as Air Force One but plans to keep privately after leaving office by transferring it to his presidential library foundation.

Critics from both parties, including Senator Rand Paul and podcaster Ben Shapiro, have condemned the gift.

The piece argues Qatar’s overt courting of Trump exemplifies how foreign leaders seek favor through personal relationships rather than official diplomacy, perfectly embodying Trump’s second-term style of governance—where public office and personal business are indistinguishable.