Donald Trump, widely recognized as one of the world’s most powerful and well-known figures, leads the United States—the largest economy and most formidable military force on the globe.
Yet during his recent trip to the Middle East, the American president appeared somewhat envious of the luxury enjoyed by his Arab counterparts.
He marveled at the Qatari palace’s marble, calling it “perfecto” and remarking that it was “very hard to buy.” He also praised the striking modern architecture in Saudi Arabia, describing the skyline as filled with “gleaming marvels.” In contrast, he expressed dissatisfaction with Air Force One, calling it “much smaller” and “much less impressive” than the planes used by Gulf leaders.
During the flight, Trump noted that the Gulf nations all fly “brand-new Boeing 747s,” while he was traveling in a nearly 40-year-old version.
His eagerness for a newer aircraft is so strong that he has reportedly considered accepting a 747 donated by Qatar—despite the potential issues. Such a move raises concerns about the plane’s security features, the high cost of retrofitting it for presidential use, and the possibility of violating the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits presidents from accepting gifts from foreign governments. Trump has not cited any urgent national security reason for bypassing the new Air Force One jets currently under development by Boeing.
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It sounded like a case of keeping up with the Joneses, only in this case the Joneses are oil-rich leaders of Middle Eastern autocracies. For a former real estate developer with flamboyant tastes, Trump’s trip has been a tantalizing peek into the lives of his more opulent counterparts.
“The job you’ve done is second to none,” Trump told Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, gazing up at his surroundings in the palace known as the Amiri Diwan. “You look at this, it’s so beautiful. As a construction person, I’m seeing perfect marble. This is what they call perfecto.”
There have been other lavish touches on the trip, which will wind up with a stop in the United Arab Emirates. Air Force One received fighter jet escorts, honor guards stood by with golden swords in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the presidential limousine was welcomed by riders on camelback in Doha, Qatar.
“We appreciate those camels,” Trump told Al Thani. “I haven’t seen camels like that in a long time. That was some greeting.”
He continued to praise Qatar at a state dinner, where he mused that there “wasn’t a tree out of place” in the landscaping. Trump was astounded by the accommodations in Lusail, a new city outside of Doha that was built from the ground up.
“This is not your normal house. This is a palace,” he said after signing the guest book.
Nothing was said about the migrant workers who raced to develop the country’s infrastructure for the World Cup tournament three years ago, or Qatar’s lack of political freedom, which makes possible such elaborate central planning.
The Republican president’s admiration reflects an aesthetic and political vision at odds with American tradition. After declaring independence from the British monarchy, the Founding Fathers wanted to eschew anything that suggested royalty. Even as the United States emerged as the global superpower, the country and its leaders emphasized a facade of humility.
But that’s never been Trump’s style. The billionaire’s New York City penthouse is embellished with gold and marble, and parts of his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida are modeled after France’s Palace of Versailles.
After winning a second term last year, Trump is eager to bring the same approach to the presidency, and it’s likely that his visit to the Middle East will fuel his desire for renovations. The White House, despite its grandeur, can be quite cramped. Office space is limited, and state dinners are sometimes held in a fancy tent to accommodate enough guests.
Trump said he wants to build “a beautiful, beautiful ballroom like I have at Mar-a-Lago, as beautiful as can be.” He promised to foot the $100 million bill.
“I think we’ve outgrown the tent stuff, right, don’t you think?” he said recently.
Trump has also talked about paving over the lawn in the Rose Garden, turning it into a patio with “gorgeous stone” that would be easier for holding events.
Some upgrades have already taken place, particularly in the Oval Office. There are gold accents to the fireplace, doorway arches, walls and other areas of the room. The walls have become increasingly packed with portraits of past presidents. A model of a new Air Force One — complete with a paint scheme that echoes his personal jet — sits on a table in the center of the room.
One prized addition is a copy of the Declaration of Independence, which is concealed behind a curtain to protect it from sunlight. He sometimes dramatically unveils the document for guests.
“You see the new and improved Oval Office as it becomes more and more beautiful,” the president told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a recent visit. He said it’s been renovated “with great love and 24-karat gold — that always helps too.”