Trump denies talking golf, real estate in Saudi meetings

WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump, whose household has large concern interests successful the Gulf countries helium is visiting this week, said determination was nary speech of gathering a Trump Tower successful Syria oregon play during his meetings successful Saudi Arabia that ended connected Wednesday.

Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa during his archetypal halt successful Riyadh connected May 13 and 14 earlier heading to Qatar.

More: 'This is what they telephone perfecto': Gulf monarchies bring A-game to Trump charm offensive

The president made a astonishment announcement connected that the U.S. volition region longstanding sanctions connected Syria. But helium said May 14 the anticipation of processing a Trump Tower successful Damascus, which a Trump protagonist has said Sharaa wants, did not travel up during their meeting.

"We’ll person to hold a small portion until things calm down,” helium said, according to a excavation report.

More: Trump's idiosyncratic diplomacy and household concern intersect successful Gulf tour

Golf and crypto

Trump besides said helium did not cognize however the woody for a steadfast backed by the Abu Dhabi authorities to usage the Trump household company's integer coins for ⁠a $2 cardinal investment successful a crypto speech came about.

"I truly don't cognize thing astir it, but I'm a large crypto fan, I volition archer you," helium told reporters aboard Air Force One arsenic helium traveled to Qatar. He was scheduled to sojourn the United Arab Emirates connected Thursday.

Asked if PGA oregon LIV golf came up successful his meetings with bin Salman, Trump told reporters, "No."

Trump, whose institution owns a fig of play courses, has tried to broker a woody betwixt the warring PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund-backed LIV Golf.

More: How overmuch wealth did Trump marque successful archetypal 100 days?

Trump's household has forged multi-billion dollar business deals successful the Gulf, moves that Democrats and different critics accidental could unfastened pathways to improperly power the president.

Qatar is considering giving Trump a $400 cardinal plane, raising law questions and ethical concerns adjacent from immoderate chap Republicans.

The White House has said determination is nary struggle and that the president is acting successful the interests of the American nationalist and not his own. The Trump Organization has said Trump's big children negociate his assets.

This nonfiction primitively appeared connected USA TODAY: Trump says nary golf, existent property speech successful Saudi meetings