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DOHA, Qatar — President Trump received an eight-fighter jet escort as Air Force One arrived Wednesday in Qatar for the second stop on his three-nation tour of the Middle East.
The show of respect appeared to one-up the emirate’s neighboring frenemy Saudi Arabia, which provided a six fighter-jet escort Tuesday morning.
Journalists aboard Air Force One spotted four Qatari jets off the right side of the plane while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt tweeted footage of four more to the left.
President Trump at Hamad International Airport, in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. Trump gestures upon his arrival at Hamad International Airport, in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. REUTERS
Qatari jets escort Air Force One into Doha, Qatar on May 14, 2025. Getty ImagesTrump’s Mideast swing will include a stop in the United Arab Emirates as well, but no trip to Israel.
The president told reporters that his trip will be good for the Jewish state — after personally pressuring the leaders of Syria and Saudi Arabia to establish diplomatic relations.
“This is good for Israel, having a relationship like I have with these countries; Middle Eastern countries, essentially all of them. I think it’s very good for Israel,” Trump said.
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