President Donald Trump’s business dealings with entities in the Middle East generated approximately $300 million in revenue for his companies in 2025, according to newly released financial disclosures. This sum represents the largest share of foreign-region income reported by Trump, whose businesses collectively brought in more than $2 billion that year.

The most significant portion of the Middle Eastern revenue—$263 million—came from the sale of half of Trump’s stake in World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company. This previously undisclosed transaction took place just four days before Trump’s 2025 inauguration. The buyer was an entity backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a senior royal in the United Arab Emirates and brother to the nation’s president. The remaining amount derived largely from licensing fees paid by Middle Eastern developers involved in numerous Trump-branded real estate and golf course projects throughout the Gulf region.

Payment from the Gulf states to the sitting president marks a notable development, illustrating the intertwined nature of Trump’s political influence and business enterprises. It also contrasts sharply with his financial situation two years earlier when he faced heavy liabilities from civil lawsuits.

The Middle East holds a critical place in Trump’s foreign policy. During 2025, while in office, Trump intensified opposition against Iran, maintained strong support for Israel’s operations in Gaza, and encouraged wealthier Arab countries to channel significant investments into the United States. That year, Qatar gifted the president a plane, which now functions as Air Force One, while Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar announced major U.S.-bound investment initiatives.

Analysts familiar with Gulf investment styles suggest the payments reflect longstanding strategic practices of acquiring goodwill through financial channels rather than direct political influence. A person close to Sheikh Tahnoon indicated that the deal involving World Liberty was the result of months of negotiation conducted independently of Trump. Tahnoon’s interest in cryptocurrency is well established, and a spokesperson for the royal did not respond to requests for comment.

The White House defended the arrangements, emphasizing that there are no conflicts of interest. A spokeswoman highlighted Trump’s efforts to stop foreign countries from exploiting the United States while securing substantial investments and job creation domestically. A Trump Organization representative underscored the firm’s dedication to transparency, noting that the disclosures reflect the scale and scope of its operations.

Trump has transferred operational control of his business to his eldest sons during his time in office, a point he reiterated alongside presenting the business growth.

In addition to the cryptocurrency-related revenue, Trump’s real estate licensing business accounted for $38 million in fees from Gulf-based developers in 2025. These developers have launched various Trump-branded projects, including skyscrapers and golf resorts, across Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman. Notable among them is Dar Global, a Qatari-backed developer working on a project in partnership with Eric Trump, the president’s second son, and Dar Al Arkan, building a Trump-branded property in Riyadh. Dubai’s Damac Group also paid $10 million in licensing fees amid plans for U.S. investments but has yet to announce specific projects.

Foreign licensing income has surged in recent years, climbing from $9 million in 2022 and $8 million in 2023 to $45 million in 2024, and $59 million the following year. The Trump Organization had pledged to halt foreign deals during Trump’s initial term but reversed course subsequently.

World Liberty, founded in 2024 as a joint venture involving Trump family members and real estate developer Steve Witkoff, who serves as Middle East envoy, has been particularly profitable. Beyond the equity sale to the UAE-linked entity, Trump reported over $500 million from token sales associated with the company. World Liberty’s primary focus is stablecoins pegged to the dollar, which generate profits from interest on users’ cash deposits estimated at more than $4.6 billion.

The warming of U.S.-Gulf relations under Trump extended to strategic trade agreements as well. The UAE and Saudi Arabia secured deals to import advanced artificial intelligence chips from the United States—controversial at the time due to concerns about potential Chinese use—following lobbying efforts led by Sheikh Tahnoon. However, in 2026, relations between the Gulf states and the United States cooled amid Arab frustration with Washington’s military response to Iran and its impact on regional stability.

The disclosures reveal a complex interface between Trump’s presidential role and his private business interests, especially involving the Middle East, a region central to his foreign policy agenda and private revenue streams.