As global interest in real estate investments in Dubai, Nigeria, the USA, the UK, Canada, and key African cities continues to grow, the intersection between politics and high-stakes property deals is once again in the spotlight. During President Donald Trump’s high-profile trip to the Gulf, speculation surrounding his family’s international business interests—especially in real estate and digital assets—sparked intense debate.

While real estate professionals and investors closely watched for any policy shifts or investment announcements, Trump told reporters that real estate development and golf were not on the agenda in his recent meetings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

No Talk of Trump Tower Damascus, Trump Says

President Trump, who met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on May 13 and 14, firmly denied discussing any property developments—including a potential Trump Tower in Damascus, a project reportedly favored by Sharaa, according to one of Trump’s own supporters.

“We’ll have to wait a little while until things calm down,” Trump said, referencing the ongoing instability in Syria. The comment was made during a pool report session as he concluded his Saudi meetings and headed to Qatar, another real estate investment hotspot in the Gulf.

This statement comes amid renewed interest in real estate investments in conflict and post-conflict zones, especially by private developers willing to take long-term risks.

Crypto and Real Estate: Trump Claims No Involvement in Digital Coin Deal

Adding another layer to the conversation was a developing story involving a firm backed by the Abu Dhabi government and a $2 billion investment into a crypto exchange. The firm reportedly planned to use the Trump family’s digital coins—an evolving asset class increasingly intersecting with proptech news and real estate investments in Dubai and beyond.

“I really don’t know anything about it, but I’m a big crypto fan, I will tell you,” Trump said aboard Air Force One en route to Qatar, where he was scheduled to continue his tour through the Gulf.

Digital currencies are rapidly influencing modern property investments, particularly in technologically advanced markets like Dubai and North American cities, where blockchain is now part of real estate transactions.

LIV Golf, PGA, and Trump’s Property Empire

Trump also brushed off questions about whether golf investments came up in his talks with bin Salman. “No,” he told reporters, despite his well-known involvement with both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

His company owns several golf courses, and Trump has been a vocal proponent of resolving the PGA-LIV dispute. The Saudi-backed LIV Golf is closely tied to the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund—an entity that’s also active in global real estate investments, including across the USA, UK, Canada, and real estate investments in Nigeria’s growing markets such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

Political Office and Real Estate: Conflict or Coincidence?

Critics argue that Trump’s family’s multi-billion dollar business dealings in the Gulf may create channels of influence that could affect policy decisions. Democrats and ethics experts have raised flags, particularly following Trump’s surprise announcement to remove longstanding sanctions on Syria.

Moreover, reports that Qatar may gift the president a $400 million plane stirred fresh controversy. Even some Republicans questioned the ethical and constitutional implications of such an offer.

Despite this, the White House has maintained that there is no conflict of interest, asserting that President Trump acts solely in the national interest. The Trump Organization echoed that sentiment, noting that the President’s adult children manage all business dealings, in line with prior legal arrangements.

Key Takeaways:

• No Real Estate Deals Discussed: President Trump denied discussing developments like Trump Tower Damascus or golf course projects during his Saudi meetings.

• Crypto in Real Estate News: Trump distanced himself from a $2 billion digital coin investment tied to his family business, despite the growing relevance of crypto in proptech and real estate globally.

• Golf and Real Estate Still Linked: Although golf was not formally on the agenda, Trump’s role in the PGA-LIV conflict underscores ongoing ties between sports and real estate investments.

• Scrutiny Continues Over Gulf Business Ties: As Trump navigates diplomatic visits, concerns about conflicts of interest tied to real estate investments in Dubai, the USA, UK, and Nigeria are mounting.

For readers and investors watching developments in real estate investments in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Owerri, Ibadan, Uyo, and Asaba—regions currently experiencing property booms—this story is a reminder of how political leadership can sometimes intersect with international real estate ambitions.

Stay tuned with Real Estate Magazine by Win Realty for more updates on global real estate trends and proptech news.