US President Donald Trump has revealed that he could make Saudi Arabia the destination for his first foreign trip during his new term – but only if Riyadh agrees to purchase American products worth up to $500 billion. He revealed that a similar arrangement was agreed for his controversial 2017 visit.

  • SaltySalamander@fedia.io
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    9 hours ago

    Not that I’m defending Trump, but you understand that the $450b in 2017 didn’t go to Trump, right? Because that would make Trump the richest man in the world, and he’s certainly not that.

    • snekerpimp@lemmy.world
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      8 hours ago

      By saying “as president I will only come to your country if you buy $x from my country” he is effectively selling the office of the presidency. He isn’t speaking on a book tour, he’s not a college lecturer. He is the fucking president of the United States. And to my knowledge, no other president has extorted a country like this.

    • formergijoe@lemmy.world
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      6 hours ago

      I wonder if Jared’s $2 billion from the saudis stems from this though… Plus the saudis paying Trump to use his golf courses for their golf league. Not all of it had to go to him, but there’s a lot of “American products” that could benefit him if purchased.

    • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      7 hours ago

      Lol yeah… This is the very first time in his life that he’s done something to help other people without any benefit to himself. Sure thing.

      • Serinus@lemmy.world
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        3 hours ago

        They’re just stating facts. The money was committed to buying American goods. It wasn’t a full Blagoyavich (who Trump pardoned).