The Trump Organization has significantly expanded its partnership with Saudi Arabian real estate developers through two major projects valued collectively at approximately $10 billion. This expansion represents one of the family business’s most substantial international ventures during Donald Trump’s political career.
Dar Global, a subsidiary of the Saudi development giant Dar al-Arkan with close government ties, officially launched Trump Plaza Jeddah on Monday. The $1 billion project will feature luxury apartments, premium office spaces, exclusive townhouses, and a private park. According to company statements, the development aims to create a ‘carefully curated urban ecosystem’ targeting global residents seeking premium living and working spaces in Jeddah.
Simultaneously, the Trump Organization and Dar al-Arkan revealed plans for a separate massive golf resort spanning 2.6 million square meters in Diriyah, located outside Riyadh. This historic area, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ancestral home of the Saudi royal family, is undergoing a comprehensive $63 billion transformation into a luxury destination.
Eric Trump, representing the family business, emphasized the organization’s ‘commitment to world-class quality and iconic design’ through these ventures. He specifically noted the Trump family’s ‘confidence in Jeddah as a dynamic, globally relevant city.’
These developments coincide with Saudi Arabia’s broader economic strategy to attract foreign investment across multiple sectors, including real estate. In January, the kingdom announced policy changes allowing non-Saudis to purchase property in major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, signaling a significant shift in its approach to foreign ownership.
The Trump Organization operates internationally primarily through licensing agreements, where foreign developers pay substantial fees for the right to use the Trump brand. According to financial reports, Dar Global’s licensing arrangement generated $21.9 million for the Trump family business last year alone.
These business dealings have drawn scrutiny due to their timing amid Donald Trump’s political activities. While the former president has denied personally benefiting from his family’s international ventures, critics have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest given his political connections to Gulf governments.
The Saudi partnership represents the Trump Organization’s most significant overseas collaboration, with additional projects underway in Oman (a golf course and luxury hotel), Qatar (Trump International Golf Club and villas), and the UAE (an 80-story Trump hotel featuring ‘the highest outdoor pool in the world’).