Saudi Arabia spent hundreds of thousands of dollars at Trump's DC hotel and other properties during his presidency. Saudi-connected lobbyists booked large blocks of rooms and event spaces. This occurred while the Trump administration was conducting multi-billion dollar arms sale negotiations with Saudi Arabia and while Trump was deciding how to respond to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi government operatives.
Military units from multiple countries — including Kuwait, Afghanistan, and others — held events at Trump properties. A congressional report documented that the US Air Force stopped at Trump Turnberry in Scotland for refueling layovers, with crew members staying at Trump's hotel — paying market rates that went directly into Trump's businesses.
Multiple foreign embassies held official events at Trump's DC hotel. CREW documented payments from representatives of at least 22 foreign governments to Trump properties during his first term, including Kuwait, Turkey, Malaysia, and others with active US policy interests during Trump's tenure.
In October 2019, Trump announced the 2020 G7 summit would be held at Trump National Doral Miami — his own golf resort. Every G7 leader's delegation would have stayed at a Trump property. After bipartisan criticism that this was a textbook emoluments violation, the proposal was withdrawn. Trump called it "the greatest G7 venue" and said he had reluctantly backed down due to "media harassment."
The legal cases were complicated. Multiple courts heard emoluments challenges. Some ruled that plaintiffs (states, members of Congress) lacked standing to sue. After Trump left office, the Supreme Court vacated the lower court decisions as moot. The constitutional question — whether Trump's behavior violated the Emoluments Clause — was never definitively resolved. CREW estimated Trump made more than $8 million from foreign governments during his first term through his businesses.
This post distinguishes between documented facts, allegations, and analysis. Where motive, intent, corruption, or illegality remains disputed in the public record, the text attributes that judgment to court findings, official records, direct quotes, or the reporting linked below.
- CREW — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington; documented 22+ foreign governments, 3,000+ conflict instances; citizensforethics.org.
- Air Force Turnberry — documented by Washington Post; Air Force crews staying at Trump-owned hotel on Scottish layovers; congressional inquiry.
- G7 at Doral — October 17, 2019 announcement; withdrawn October 19, 2019 after bipartisan criticism.
- Saudi spending — documented by multiple outlets; CREW analysis.