U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has sharply criticized former President Donald Trump’s May 2025 Middle East trip, accusing him of prioritizing personal financial gain over American national interests. Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described the trip as a “public corruption tour,” alleging that Trump leveraged U.S. foreign policy to secure lucrative deals for his family’s businesses, particularly in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Van Hollen’s Critique of Trump’s Middle East Engagements
During Trump’s visit to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, Van Hollen and other Democratic senators raised alarms over what they see as blatant corruption. On May 18, 2025, Van Hollen stated on CBS, “Trump’s visit to the Middle East — my view is the overall narrative here was selling out U.S. national interests for the private gain of his family business. He essentially gave away the crown jewels of American AI and semiconductor technology to the Gulf in exchange for a $2 billion investment in the Trump family stablecoin venture.” This accusation centers on a reported deal involving an Abu Dhabi investment fund, which Van Hollen and others, including Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), claim compromises U.S. national security by transferring sensitive technology to Gulf states.
Van Hollen also condemned Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar, offered as a temporary Air Force One, calling it a “grift, pure and simple” on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 on May 13, 2025. He argued that this violates the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officeholders from accepting foreign gifts without congressional consent. In a Senate resolution co-sponsored with Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Chris Coons (D-Del.), Van Hollen declared, “Trump’s brazen willingness to accept a luxury jet from Qatar raises the dangerous prospect that the president can be bought and paid for by foreign powers — putting their interests over Americans’ and our national security.”
Additionally, Van Hollen, alongside Senators Murphy, Schatz, Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), introduced resolutions on May 15, 2025, to block $3.5 billion in weapons sales to Qatar and the UAE, citing concerns that these deals personally benefit Trump’s family. Van Hollen specifically noted the risk of U.S. weapons reaching Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces via the UAE, exacerbating Sudan’s civil war and human rights violations. He stated, “The U.S. should not be delivering weapons to the UAE as it aids and abets this humanitarian disaster.”
Broader Context: Trump’s Middle East Policy
Van Hollen’s criticisms extend to Trump’s broader Middle East policies, particularly his February 2025 proposal to “take over” the Gaza Strip and displace its Palestinian population, which Van Hollen called “ethnic cleansing by another name.” He argued that this plan undermines decades of bipartisan U.S. support for a two-state solution and risks destabilizing allies like Jordan and Egypt while empowering adversaries like Iran. Van Hollen has consistently advocated for a human rights-centered approach, as seen in his 2024 criticisms of Israel’s Gaza operations and his push for conditional U.S. aid.
Implications for Stakeholders
For stakeholders in foreign policy, defense, and technology sectors, Van Hollen’s accusations highlight significant concerns about the integrity of U.S. foreign relations under Trump. The alleged exchange of AI and semiconductor technology for personal financial gain could weaken U.S. technological dominance and strain alliances, particularly if Gulf states transfer sensitive technology to rivals like China. Businesses in the defense industry should note the proposed Senate resolutions, which, if passed, could disrupt arms deals with Qatar and the UAE, affecting market dynamics.
Van Hollen’s push for accountability resonates with civil society groups advocating for ethical governance and human rights. However, the resolutions face an uphill battle in a Republican-controlled Senate, reflecting the polarized political landscape. Investors in cryptocurrency and real estate, sectors tied to Trump’s reported $5.5 billion Qatar deal and $2 billion Saudi investments, should monitor these developments for potential regulatory fallout.
Van Hollen’s outspoken stance positions him as a leading critic of Trump’s foreign policy, galvanizing Democratic resistance but drawing pushback from Republicans who defend Trump’s actions as strategic diplomacy. Stakeholders should anticipate continued congressional debates over these issues, which could shape U.S. credibility and influence in the Middle East.
For more information, visit www.vanhollen.senate.gov.
