The Trump Organization has agreed to license its name to a housing and golf complex that will be built in Oman.
The company was founded by former President Donald Trump’s paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Christ Trump, and his father, Fred Trump, in 1927. It will partner with Dar Al Arkan, one of the largest real estate companies in Saudi Arabia.
The $1.6 billion project, known as Aida, will include a golf course, two hotels, and 3,500 private residential units on a hillside property in Muscat, which is adjacent to the Gulf of Oman. The residential units will include villas, townhouses, and low-rise apartments and the project will also include retail space for luxury shopping.
“It is an honor to work with Dar Al Arkan, who share our vision for superior quality and excellence,” the Trump Organization said in the statement, per The New York Times. “This will be a truly magnificent project that integrates luxury living and world-class hospitality at the highest levels.”
When Trump began his term as the President of the United States in 2017, he turned the management of the Trump organization over to his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric. The Trump family agreed not to sign any new international deals while President Trump was in office.
More than 500 businesses across the world are part of the Trump Organization, which claims to have "set new standards of excellence as it has expanded its interests in world-class hotels, luxury residential real estate, top-tier office buildings, championship golf clubs, merchandise and entertainment and event management."
The deal with Dar Al Arkan is the company’s first international deal since Trump left office in 2020.
“The Trump family’s business ties to the Saudi Arabian government previously drew scrutiny,” reports The Real Deal. “During his presidency, Trump authorized billions of dollars in weapon sales to the country and defended the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist believed to have been killed on the orders of the country’s crown prince.”
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law who worked in his administration, has a close relationship with Mohammed bin Salman., the crown prince of Saudi Arabia and the de facto ruler.
“Six months after leaving the Trump administration, Kushner secured a $2bn investment from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, led by the Saudi crown prince,” reports Middle East Eye. “During his time in the Trump administration, the Saudi royal family gifted Kushner two swords and a dagger worth nearly $48,000, for which he ended up paying the US government after leaving office.”
The deal’s announcement coincides with an impending Nov. 15 announcement from Trump, where he is generally expected to announce his intention to seek re-election in 2024.
