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MaddowBlog-Foreign governments have figured out how to receive favorable treatment from Trump
The White House’s recent interactions with Pakistan, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia offer a case study in how U.S. foreign policy is not supposed to work.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
— Rachel Maddow (@maddow.bsky.social) 2025-11-17T19:29:00.412Z
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/foreign-governments-figured-receive-favorable-treatment-trump-rcna244414
And one day after the Axios report ran, The New York Times published a related report about the American president’s relationship with yet another foreign country:
A related Washington Post report noted that the Saudi crown prince is poised to be rewarded with a black-tie dinner in the White House’s East Room on Nov. 18. The gathering “will have all the trappings of a state visit and wrap a packed day of programming at the White House surrounding Mohammed’s trip, including a meeting with Trump. Members of Congress, administration officials and U.S. business leaders have been invited.”.....
The Times’ report concluded, “That sets up a scenario in which Mr. Trump discusses matters of national security with a foreign leader who is also a key figure in a potential business deal with the president’s family.”
The broader dynamic isn’t altogether new. Qatar, for example, rewarded Trump with a luxury jet and soon after reaped the rewards. Just last month, the American president was caught on a hot mic having an interesting chat with the president of Indonesia, where the Trump organization is building a golf resort.
The point, however, isn’t that the problem is new; the point is the problem seems to be getting worse. Foreign governments are learning how to receive favorable treatment from the Republican White House, through flattery, gifts, lobbying, private business deals or some combination thereof.
The Trump Organization is in talks that could bring a Trump-branded property to one of Saudi Arabia’s largest government-owned real estate developments, according to the chief executive of the Saudi company leading the development. The negotiations are the latest example of President Trump blending governance and family business, particularly in Persian Gulf countries. … Mr. Trump is set to host Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, in Washington next week.
A related Washington Post report noted that the Saudi crown prince is poised to be rewarded with a black-tie dinner in the White House’s East Room on Nov. 18. The gathering “will have all the trappings of a state visit and wrap a packed day of programming at the White House surrounding Mohammed’s trip, including a meeting with Trump. Members of Congress, administration officials and U.S. business leaders have been invited.”.....
The Times’ report concluded, “That sets up a scenario in which Mr. Trump discusses matters of national security with a foreign leader who is also a key figure in a potential business deal with the president’s family.”
The broader dynamic isn’t altogether new. Qatar, for example, rewarded Trump with a luxury jet and soon after reaped the rewards. Just last month, the American president was caught on a hot mic having an interesting chat with the president of Indonesia, where the Trump organization is building a golf resort.
The point, however, isn’t that the problem is new; the point is the problem seems to be getting worse. Foreign governments are learning how to receive favorable treatment from the Republican White House, through flattery, gifts, lobbying, private business deals or some combination thereof.