In addition to the White House, Donald Trump has set his sights on Oman, which is raising more than a few eyebrows.
The former president is involved in a multibillion-dollar real estate project in the Middle Eastern country, backed by the country’s oil-rich government, and raising massive ethical concerns, The New York Times has reported.
The development includes a Trump-branded hotel, golf course, and luxury villas, with prices reaching up to $13 million.
The project, located on the Gulf of Oman, is being built by thousands of migrant laborers from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, who are working long hours in extreme heat.
The partnership between Trump and the Omani government is unusual, if not unique, compared to his previous international deals; Oman is providing the land for the project and investing heavily in the infrastructure, while Trump’s company, the Trump Organization, will help design and manage the properties for up to 30 years.
The Trump Organization has already earned at least $5 million from the deal, according to the times.
But the business ties between Trump and the Middle East have faced scrutiny in the past over potential conflicts of interest and whether they could influence foreign policy if Trump were to return to the White House
Indeed, during his presidency, his family business profited from foreign governments, including Saudi Arabia, which spent large sums at his Washington hotel. Post presidency, Trump’s son-in-law, adviser Jared Kushner, famously received a $2 billion investment from a fund led by the Saudi crown prince, over the objections of the fund’s advisers, raising questions over the entire deal.
Furthermore, Oman plays a significant diplomatic role — and is in a sensitive location — in the Middle East; it maintains ties with both Saudi Arabia and Iran. The country has served as an intermediary for the West in negotiations with Iran, including the 2015 nuclear deal that Trump later abandoned. Oman is also a buyer of U.S. weapons, the Times said.
The deal with Oman was facilitated by a Saudi real estate firm, Dar Al Arkan, which also has close ties to the Saudi government. Trump and his family have collaborated with Saudi entities in the past, including hosting the LIV golf tour with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
The Trump Organization’s involvement in the Oman project raises questions about how Mr. Trump’s financial interests could intersect with his politics, especially as he runs for president again.
The treatment of migrant workers on the project has also come under scrutiny. The workers, living in cramped trailers and enduring harsh conditions, are reportedly being paid as little as $340 per month. Oman has faced criticism for its treatment of foreign workers, with reports of labor exploitation and inadequate enforcement of safety and health standards.
Details of the project have been revealed at a time when Trump faces myriad legal entanglements domestically.
He was recently arraigned in Miami on 37 felony counts related to alleged mishandling of classified documents. He pleaded not guilty.
He was also indicted earlier this year in New York on charges related to hush money paid to a former porn star prior to the 2016 election.
He also faces at least one additional investigation in Georgia over alleged interference with the presidential election results in that state.
— Ted Glanzer