_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

Four days before President Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025, an Abu Dhabi royal known as the "spy sheikh" secretly purchased a 49 percent stake in the Trump family's cryptocurrency company, World Liberty Financial, for $500 million. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the brother of the UAE's president and the country's national security adviser, signed the deal through his investment firm Aryam Investment 1.

Two months later, the Trump administration reversed Biden-era restrictions and granted the UAE access to 500,000 advanced AI chips annually. While the deal to provide the Emirates with advanced chips was intended to strengthen ties with Middle Eastern allies, the decision raised alarm among national security officials who feared the technology could be diverted to China.

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Fred Scott9 months ago

While on its face, this seems a bit suspicious. But it also appears up front that the UAE and the Trump organization are both deal makers, which could be advantageous to both countries in many ways; time will tell. It is more transparent than Biden's schemes as VP and President.

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Bob Hrebec9 months ago

Admittedly it does not look good. But with that said, it doesn't appear anyone was trying to hide the deal. Contrary to how the Biden's worked with shell companies. But it does give the left a major talking point for sure!!

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B B9 months ago

Overt corruption or not it looks bad, smells bad, and therefore will be bad for the Trump administration over the long haul. There are too many Tump family members and friends profiteering from this deal. Even with transparency it smacks of insider fortune making. Don't the Trumps and the Witkoffs have enough money? Aren't there other areas here at home they can invest in?

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Jonathan Horen9 months ago

Two thoughts about enough:

"You can have everything, and still not have enough." "I'd give it all up, for just a little more."

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Jorge Rios9 months ago

Very Disappointing!!! Looks too similar to the Biden shenanigans and this will give the Left lots of ammo to use against Trump and the conservatives.

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Photo Man9 months ago

"Do you believe this deal is evidence of corruption?" I read the article's first few facts and said, 'Hey, this sounds like another Yoey & Hunter Ukrainian type deal'. I have been opposed to all of Trump's cozying up to those MidEast country financial deals. Now I know better why I have been uneasy about that cozy relationship. Certainly sounds like corruption. But, hey, welcome to the fine workings of being a government representative, at any level of government bureaucracies. Get elected while being literally penniless and walk out as a millionaire. Disgusting! (And remember, I write these before I read the posted comments. Then I usually tag onto some like-minded stated post.)

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James G.9 months ago

They can find ammo anywhere. Also, looking at how the game is played, Hunter walking free and clear....One rub for another....nothing will happen either way, just more smoke.

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Terry McCall9 months ago

No matter how Trump makes his money it is not off the backs of autistic kids or from welfare fraud. Also, we all know Steve Witcoff is not working for free.

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Will H.9 months ago

When we’re ready to address Pelosi’s insider trading and cherry picking of government contractors for personal gain, AOC’s wealth, Rashida Taliban’s funding of terrorist operatives, and Omar’s millions, then we can talk about what the Trumps are doing. Until then, the Trumps are just better business people than the usual grifters on Capital Hill.

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Doug Ebbecke9 months ago

It’s certainly concerning, but if Trump wasn’t in office it’s doubtful that anyone would give it a second thought. At least it seems pretty transparent and not being conducted in secret. It seems everyone wants to stay on his good side as aggravating Trump doesn’t seem to turn out well for those that do.

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Bernie Peer9 months ago

Look’s suspicious, I don’t believe President Trump didn’t know. Their family seems very close. It’s disappointing.

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K Schwartz 9 months ago

This made my eyebrows raise. This deal looks bad.

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Fred Rogers9 months ago

Smells!

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Scott Connell9 months ago

For sure this will be the Democrats battle cry if they win the mid-terms and take both houses of Congress. For sure, articles of impeachment will follow! Does this deal look bad for Trump and Witkoff and their families, yes, but what's the alternative, do nothing and let China supply the UAE with advanced chips? Don't forget, the computers, smart cell phones or pads/tables that everyone is using to reply to this, ALL come from China - in whole or in pieces!

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Roger Kirkpatrick9 months ago

And we are supposed to be surprised at this!?! These billionaires are continuing to do what they must do to steward their impossible wealth. That doesn’t mean it is above reproach, just business as pragmatically useful.

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Don G9 months ago

Trump has turned into a politician. Politicians are great at corruption

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Than Johnson9 months ago

Let the truth come out and then judge that outcome. Time will tell if it’s a negative or a positive. Than

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Jim Powers9 months ago

It has no appearances of corruption. It’s a business deal, plain and simple. Happens every day.

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Rich Henke9 months ago

I would agree… if he wasn’t the president of the Inited States. It may be more transparent but it still smacks of influence peddling. I’m not surprised - just disappointed.

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David Hamilton 9 months ago

Less so than Hunter Biden with no experience or Nancy Pelosi giving insider tips. On its face it does look suspicious, but Eric Trump is a business man.

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Joe Cavanaugh9 months ago

It just looks bad

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James G.9 months ago

I like this move. It demonstrates strength and partnership to the Middle East. It creates measurable revenue for the USA. It opens doors in separate negotiations. It gives us the ability to spy/track the chips. It allows us to offload our lesser quality backstock.

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Dave Evans9 months ago

Sure looks corrupt.

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Lauren Sauvageot 9 months ago

This is politics and business at the high level. Should we be surprised?

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Bill Roberts9 months ago

This is how the rich get richer. Doesn’t matter if they lean right or left. They will still make deals between each other privately all the while calling each other out in public. That’s the way it is and always has been. I don’t see it changing either.