The Trump Organization has announced its partnership with Dar Global, a London-based luxury real estate developer, to lease the Trump brand for two new real estate projects in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The projects will be fully owned and developed by Dar Global in the Saudi capital. This collaboration follows the success of previous ventures in Dubai, Jeddah, and Oman, including the development of a golf resort.
Prior to his presidency, Donald Trump's company had entered into numerous real estate licensing agreements worldwide, spanning countries such as Canada, Dubai, Mexico, India, and Turkey. The close relationship between Trump and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has faced criticism, particularly in the aftermath of the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and former senior aide, has also come under scrutiny for reportedly receiving a $2 billion investment from a Saudi sovereign wealth fund for his investment fund. Kushner, who played a key role in brokering the 2020 Abraham Accords between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, had been involved in Middle East affairs during his time in the White House.
Dar Global, the international arm of Dar Al Arkan, a prominent Saudi developer, boasts a portfolio of projects worth $7.5 billion under development across various countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Saudi Arabia.