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.
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.