Doha, Qatar (AP) -Donald Trump is the most powerful and famous man on the planet, at the helm of the largest economy and the most powerful military.
But during his trip to the Middle East this week, the US president sounds more than a little envy to his Arab hosts.
He admired the marble at the Qatari Palace as “Perfecto” and “It is very difficult to buy.” He praised the “brilliant wonders” of the silhouette in Saudi Arabia. And he broke up for the “less smaller” and a “much less impressive” aircraft, which is Air Force One.
In his flight to the region, Trump said all countries in the Persian Gulf have “these brand new Boeing 747s” while he was stuck, using a version of nearly 4 decades.
The president is so impatient with the aircraft to be replaced that he is considering accepting a gift model from Qatar, despite fears that he may be less secure, expensive to modernize and violate the US Constitution ban on foreign gifts. He did not have a necessary national security for the Swift upgrade, not waiting for Boeing to finish the New Air Force One Jets, who have been working for years.
This sounded like a case of Joune’s maintenance, only in the case of Jounenes are the oil -rich leaders in the Middle East. For a former real estate developer with flaming flavors, Trump’s journey is an explosive peering into the lives of his greater colleagues.
“The work you have done is second,” Trump told Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al -Thani, staring at his environment in the palace known as Amiri sofa. “You look at this, it’s so beautiful. As a construction person I see perfect marble. That’s what they call perfecto.”
There were other lavish touches on the trip that would be rotated by a stop at the United Arab Emirates. Air Force One received fighter jets, the security of honor stood with gold swords in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the presidential limousine was greeted by Camilbek riders in Doha, Qatar.
“We appreciate these camels,” Trump told Al Thani. “I haven’t seen such camels in a long time. It was some greeting.”
The admiration of the Republican president reflects the aesthetic and political vision contrary to the American tradition. After announcing independence from the British monarchy, the founders wanted to avoid everything Royalty suggested. Even when the United States emerged as a global superpower, the country and its leaders emphasized the facade of humility.
But it was never a Trump style. The billionaire’s penthouse in New York is decorated with gold and marble, and parts of his Mar-Lago Club in Florida are modeled after the French Palace of Versailles.
After winning a second term last year, Trump is eager to bring the same approach to the Presidency and it is likely that his visit to the Middle East will nourish his desire for repairs. The White House, although it is greatness, can be quite narrow. The office space is limited and state dinners are sometimes held in a fantastic tent to accommodate enough guests.
Trump said he wanted to build “a beautiful, beautiful ballroom I have in Mar-a-Lago, as beautiful as it is.” He promised to make the $ 100 million bill.
“I think we have grown things, don’t you, don’t you think?” he said recently.
Trump also talked about the pavement over the grass in the rose garden, turning it into a patio with a “gorgeous stone”, which would be easier to hold events.
Some upgrades have already been carried out, especially in the oval office. There are gold accents to the fireplace, walls and other areas of the room. The walls are becoming more filled with portraits of past presidents. Model of the new Air Force One – Complete with a paint scheme that sounds his personal aircraft – sits on a table in the center of the room.
A valuable addition is a copy of the Independence Declaration, which is hidden behind the curtain to protect itself from sunlight. Sometimes he dramatically reveals the guest document.
“You see the new and improved oval office as it is becoming more beautiful,” President Mark Carney told Canadian Prime Minister during a recent visit. He said it was renovated “with great love and 24 drive gold – it also helps.”
____ Megerian reported from Washington.