URGENT UPDATE: New reports confirm that U.S. taxpayers have footed a staggering bill of over $40,000 for hotel rooms and rental cars during a recent trip by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump to the Middle East. This expenditure comes at a time when the Trump Administration is implementing budget cuts that have impacted thousands of government employees and crucial programs for children.
The Secret Service spent $40,797.24 on accommodations and transportation while accompanying the Trump brothers to Qatar and Saudi Arabia this spring. Federal procurement data reviewed by The Independent reveals that a single transaction of $13,984 was paid by the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh for four rental vehicles for Eric Trump, despite him not being part of the official delegation.
Another significant expense of $26,813.24 covered a stay for Donald Trump Jr. at The Ned, a luxury hotel in Doha, Qatar, from May 25 to May 31, 2025. The booking was finalized just days before his arrival, ensuring he had all the amenities for a comfortable stay.
The Secret Service defended these costs, stating,
“We support any of our protectees, that go anywhere in the world, including foreign trips.”
They added that protection is provided round-the-clock, regardless of the trip’s nature.
This lavish spending by the Trump family raises serious concerns about the monetization of the presidency. The Trump Organization, now run by Don Jr. and Eric, recently partnered with a Qatari real estate firm to develop a luxury golf resort, announced just weeks before this trip. The implications of such deals, especially with foreign governments, have prompted scrutiny and questions about potential conflicts of interest.
The brothers’ Middle East jaunt also coincided with a formal announcement of significant military deals between the U.S. and both Saudi Arabia and Qatar, worth over $300 billion. Many critics argue that this timing casts a shadow over the ethical conduct of the Trump family while in office.
These expenses are reminiscent of previous controversies involving the Trump family, including a $90,000 hotel bill for First Lady Melania Trump during a brief trip to Cairo, and over $22,000 for Tiffany Trump’s travels. Critics point to these incidents as evidence of excessive taxpayer spending on the Trump family, contradicting their earlier claims of adhering to conflict of interest laws.
As the Trump Organization continues to pursue international business ventures, the question remains: how will these actions affect public trust and government accountability? With the Trump family now involved in over 21 projects worldwide, the scrutiny of their dealings is intensifying.
Expect a continued focus on this story as more details emerge about the financial implications of the Trump family’s international activities and their impact on U.S. taxpayers. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation.
