Qatar’s Emir Briefly Detained Trump’s Departure for Onboard Meeting

The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, insisted on a meeting with President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One yesterday, delaying the aircraft’s departure during a refueling stop in Qatar.

En route to Malaysia for a diplomatic tour of Asia, Trump’s plane stopped at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar for refueling. According to the Emir, “As soon as I found out that he’s coming to refuel, I said I’m not gonna allow him to take off unless I come and say hello to him.” The two leaders spoke while Trump was still on the aircraft. “Thank you very much, Mr President, it’s always great seeing you,” the Emir told reporters alongside the President.

Trump reciprocated the praise, stating, “The Emir is one of the great rulers of the world, not just the Middle East. He’s beloved and respected by his country.” He further credited Qatar with playing a significant role in brokering the recent temporary ceasefire in Gaza, calling the collaboration “incredible.” This shift in tone marks a notable change from Trump’s earlier stance, where he supported a blockade against Qatar in 2017, accusing the nation of funding terrorism – a claim detailed by the Council on Foreign Relations.

The meeting comes after Qatar gifted Trump a $400 million jet in May, a transaction that raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, particularly given Qatar’s human rights record, as reported by Human Rights Watch. The President has indicated he anticipates using the aircraft as early as February. This close relationship could influence future U.S. foreign policy decisions in the region.

Officials stated that the President continued his journey to Malaysia following the discussion, with further stops planned throughout Asia.