President Trump embarks on high-stakes tour of the Middle East with massive goal in mind
President Donald Trump is embarking this week on a high-stakes tour of the Persian Gulf region, targeting business deals and strategic partnerships with three oil-rich nations: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
The trip marks Trump’s first major foreign visit of his new term and comes as nuclear negotiations with Iran drag on and as war continues between Israel and the Palestinian terror organization, Hamas, in the Gaza Strip. While business is the official focus, the backdrop is anything but calm.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the mission as part of Trump’s broader vision that “extremism is defeated [through] commerce and cultural exchanges.”
Under former President Joe Biden, U.S. relations with Gulf states cooled, particularly after Biden vowed to make Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a “pariah” over the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But Trump has reversed course, embracing a more transactional approach that has warmed ties with regional leaders.
“The overall goal here is that the United States is reminding our Middle East allies that we’re here to stay,” said Gregg Roman, executive director of the Middle East Forum. “We’re here to promote our joint interests rather than the abandonment policies under the previous administration.”
Big money, big expectations
Saudi Arabia has already pledged $600 billion in U.S. investments, spanning weapons purchases, technology transfers, artificial intelligence and the stock market. Trump has said he believes the Saudis may ultimately commit up to $1 trillion.
While Saudi leaders aim to diversify their economy away from oil, those massive investments still depend on oil revenues, which could be threatened by Trump’s push to lower global energy prices.
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In addition to economic deals, Trump and bin Salman are expected to discuss a possible civil nuclear program and expanded defense cooperation. Such agreements were once linked to a potential Abraham Accords-style normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
But Riyadh has made clear it won’t recognize Israel unless Palestinian statehood is on the table, something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has staunchly opposed. No stop in Israel is scheduled during Trump’s tour.
“Israeli normalization in any Saudi-U.S. project is an outdated option,” said Saudi geopolitical analyst Salman Al-Ansari. “The second Trump administration is doubling down on its strategically autonomous Middle East policy.”
In a possible goodwill gesture ahead of the trip, Hamas released Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, a move Trump called “monumental” in the push to end the Gaza conflict.
And as the UAE seeks to boost its ties with the U.S. and become a global AI leader by 2030, it’ll need American microchips. The UAE has gone even further than the Saudis, promising $1.4 trillion in U.S. investments over the next decade focused on AI, semiconductors, manufacturing and energy.
Biden had tightened curbs on AI exports to keep such technologies out of the hands of adversaries at a time when China drew closer to Middle Eastern states, especially the UAE.
On Thursday, the U.S. announced Trump would rescind the Biden-era restrictions.
Itinerary: Three days, three power centers
Trump’s whirlwind Gulf visit begins Tuesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he’ll headline the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum alongside Saudi ministers, White House crypto czar David Sacks and other business leaders.
On Wednesday, he’ll attend a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting before flying to Qatar for talks with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and a visit to the U.S. military’s Al Udeid Air Base.
Thursday’s final stop is Abu Dhabi, where Trump will meet UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
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The Qataris are pulling out all the stops to impress: They’ve offered Trump the use of a royal Boeing 747-8, typically reserved for the Qatari royal family, to serve as Air Force One.
Since being named a major non-NATO ally by Biden in 2022, Qatar has deepened its ties with the U.S., hosting American troops and mediating sensitive negotiations, including ongoing back-channel talks between Israel and Gaza.
Doha also maintains close contact with Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who ousted Bashar al-Assad and is now seeking sanctions relief and normalized ties with the West.
“Regional leaders will have an opportunity to address the situation directly with the president,” said regional expert Jonathan Bass. “Trump is the only man that can lead the way.”
Iran watching closely
While a fourth round of Iran nuclear talks in Oman over the weekend failed to produce a breakthrough, Tehran is expected to keep a close eye on Trump’s Gulf meetings.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made unannounced visits to both Saudi Arabia and Qatar ahead of Trump’s arrival, likely in hopes of passing messages through those governments to Washington.
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But all three of Trump’s host nations, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, remain wary of Iran’s ambitions.
“The region needs to openly address the problem of the IRGC,” said Bass, referring to Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. “The IRGC is trying to undermine every single country in the region.”
Second wave of chaos erupts outside ICE facility in wake of Dems’ clash with security
Dozens of clergy members protested outside an ICE facility in Newark, N.J., on Monday, saying they would continue to block the gates accessing the facility until they are arrested.
The group is composed of roughly 50 clergy members from Faith in N.J. and Faith in Action. They linked arms outside the main gate of Delaney Hall Detention Center as they chanted and sang songs.
Several speakers also said prayers for the inmates inside the facility and condemned their detention.
The clergy members say they have “volunteered” to be arrested and that they will attempt to enter the ICE facility.
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An ambulance was turned away from entering a gated area that the protesters were blocking on Monday because authorities feared the protesters might rush in if the gate were opened.
One protester told Fox News nobody called the ambulance, calling it a tactic to get them to move.
“There was no danger there,” he said. “We’re not going to be moved. We’ll be here as long as it takes until people start to realize this is not acceptable.”
By around 5 p.m., events began to flare up as employees of the facility attempted to drive out of the gated area. Police moved protesters out of the way, though the protesters would resist and oppose to being touched.
At least two protesters were arrested by Newark police during the event.
Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda said the two individuals who were arrested face obstruction and resisting arrest charges. One officer suffered a minor laceration to the arm during the incident, though he will remain on duty. No other injuries were reported.
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In response to Fox News’ reporting on the events on Monday, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin asked, “Who do they want released from Delaney Hall? The child rapists, murderers, drug traffickers, MS-13 gang members or known terrorists?”
“This was a cheap political stunt by the Democrats and by these protesters,” she said. “We’re not having it. They put law enforcement officers at risk. They put our staff in the facility at risk and put the detainees at risk. You saw that they didn’t even let an ambulance through. This is not something that this administration is going to put up with. And that’s part of the reason that this mayor was arrested. You can’t just storm a detention facility and assault law enforcement officers with impunity.”
McLaughlin’s comments come after the ICE director told Fox that 75% of the detainees at the facility have either committed a crime, are convicted of a crime, or have pending criminal charges.
Recent polling shows an overwhelming majority of Americans, 83%, support deporting at least some illegal immigrants, according to the Pew Research Center. Roughly 32% of Americans say they support deporting all illegal immigrants, and of those who only support deporting some, 97% are in favor of removing any who have committed violent crimes.
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A trio of Democratic lawmakers who participated in the “storming” of Delaney Hall last week doubled down on their actions this week, arguing the Trump administration is “weaponizing law enforcement.”
The protest comes days after Democratic lawmakers and protesters on Friday stormed the gate of the facility. Meanwhile, McLaughlin has said the detention center is housing “murderers, terrorists, child rapists and MS-13 gang members.”
The Department of Homeland Security posted on social media about the identities of several inmates.
“The allegations by Newark politicians that Delaney does not have the proper permitting is false. Meet who the New Jersey lawmakers are fighting for,” the DHS wrote.
Reps. LaMonica McIver, Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez, all Democrats from New Jersey, made the comments during a joint appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.
“Chaos ensued when someone on the phone above the leaders of ICE who were with us at that facility instructed them to go out of the facility, go to the private property and lock the mayor of the largest city in the state of New Jersey up,” Coleman said.
“That’s absurd. That’s un-American. That’s scary. That’s determination to intimidate people in this country,” she added, claiming the administration is “lying at all levels.”
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Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was also present and was arrested and charged with trespassing. Authorities claim an ICE agent was assaulted in the confrontation, which was caught on camera.
Federal judge issues ruling as Trump admin seeks another tool in illegal alien crackdown
A federal judge on Monday denied an injunction request to prevent the Department of Homeland Security and Internal Revenue Service from partnering to permit U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) to access taxpayer information to locate illegal immigrants subject to deportation.
The order by U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich came amid a lawsuit by Centro de Trabajadores Unidos and other immigrant-rights groups against Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
“Plaintiffs Centro de Trabajadores Unidos, Immigrant Solidarity DuPage, Somos Un Pueblo Unido, and Inclusive Action for the City bring this action seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from sharing personal tax information with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immigration enforcement purposes. Before the Court is the plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Dkt. 28. For the reasons that follow, the Court will deny the motion.”
“At its core, this case presents a narrow legal issue: Does the Memorandum of Understanding between the IRS and DHS violate the Internal Revenue Code? It does not,” the order continued.
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Nonprofits Centro de Trabajadores Unidos and Immigrant Solidarity DuPage, representing immigrant workers in the Chicago area, brought the lawsuit against Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, the IRS, and Commissioner of Internal Revenue Melanie Krause, seeking to block the disclosure of personal information of taxpayers and other confidential tax records to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immigration enforcement purposes.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Tricia McLaughlin, the DHS assistant secretary of public affairs, said information sharing across all federal agencies to identify illegal immigrants is essential in order to “determine what public safety and terror threats may exist so we can neutralize them, scrub these individuals from voter rolls, as well as identify what public benefits these aliens are using at taxpayer expense.”
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the government is finally doing what it should have all along—sharing information across the federal government to solve problems,” she said. “Biden not only allowed millions of illegal aliens—including gang members, suspected terrorists, and violent criminals—to flood into our country, but he also lost them due to incompetence and improper processing.”
“Information sharing across agencies is essential to identify who is in our country and determine what public safety and terror threats may exist so we can neutralize them, scrub these individuals from voter rolls, as well as identify what public benefits these aliens are using at taxpayer expense.
“Today’s ruling is a victory for the American people and for commonsense.”
An earlier memorandum of understanding between DHS and the IRS outlines a process to ensure that sensitive taxpayer data information is protected while allowing law enforcement to pursue criminal violations, a senior Treasury Department official said at the time the deal was reached in April.
The deal allows DHS to ask the IRS to confirm the home addresses of illegal immigrants suspected of violating deportation orders. The IRS can share data to aid criminal investigations but is prohibited from sharing information related to civil matters, such as facilitating deportations.
The Treasury Department is committed to protecting the privacy of law-abiding taxpayers, but a criminal exception obligates the agency to assist law enforcement, the official told Fox News Digital at the time.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the IRS, DHS and the legal team for the groups involved in the lawsuit.
The deal would allow ICE to submit the names and addresses of illegal immigrants to the IRS, who could then cross-check those immigrants’ tax records and provide the immigration agency with current address information.
“The Court agrees that requesting and receiving information for civil enforcement purposes would constitute a cognizable injury, but none of the organizations have established that such an injury is imminent,” Friedrich wrote. “As the plaintiffs acknowledge, the Memorandum only allows sharing information for criminal investigations.”
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As the Memorandum provides, its purpose is to establish procedures enabling “requests for addresses of persons subject to criminal investigation,” the order said.
The agreement comes as President Donald Trump has continued to ramp up the deportation effort he promised on the campaign trail.
Retired officer suing after he’s arrested for social media post warning about growing danger
A retired police officer in the United Kingdom is reportedly taking legal action after he was arrested over a social media post warning about the rising threat of antisemitism in the UK following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks against Israel.
Julian Foulkes, a 71-year-old retired special constable from Kent, England, was arrested in November 2023 and had his home searched after one of his posts on X was reported to law enforcement, according to the Daily Mail.
Foulkes reportedly grew concerned as anti-Israel protests swept across London and other major European cities in the weeks following the October 7 attacks. In a post on X that month, he warned about escalating antisemitism after rioters stormed a Russian airport searching for arrivals from Tel Aviv.
“One step away from storming Heathrow looking for Jewish arrivals…” he posted in a reply to a pro-Palestinian activist’s post.
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Foulkes told the Mail that he was “shocked and flabbergasted” after Kent Police officers arrived at his door later to search his home.
According to bodycam footage reviewed by The Telegraph, an officer raised concerns about the books he was reading, including those by British author and commentator Douglas Murray, commenting that his bookshelf contained “very Brexit-y things.”
Police also reportedly raised concerns about a shopping list from his wife, a hairdresser, which included items like bleach, tin foil and gloves.
Police seized his electronic devices and detained Foulkes for eight hours before issuing him a caution — a formal warning given to a person who admits to an offense to avoid prosecution.
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Foulkes said he accepted the caution out of fear that he would be kept from visiting his only surviving daughter, who lives in Australia.
He compared the ordeal to being targeted for a “thought crime.”
“This is absolutely an Orwellian-style thought crime. It’s absolutely ridiculous because I sent a tweet which was reasonable in the circumstances and it was a tweet based on events I’d read about just the previous day and in the previous week,” he told the Mail.
“It was taken out of context and I really can’t go through all the failings of Kent police – as much as I’d like to – but it’s been quite astonishing to me especially as I served with them for 10 years,” he added.
The Kent Police issued an apology to Foulkes on Monday, saying they had made a mistake and that his record had been cleared.
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“On 2 November 2023 a report was made to Kent Police about a social media post that was alleged to have been offensive, and Mr Foulkes was arrested on the same day,” the statement shared with Fox News Digital read.
“Although he was offered and accepted an unconditional caution following his own independent legal advice, a subsequent review of the case by the force concluded that the caution was not appropriate in the circumstances and should not have been issued.”
“Kent Police apologizes to Mr Foulkes for the distress caused and how the report was investigated. We have expunged the caution from his record and are pleased to facilitate this correction. Mr Foulkes has been informed of the decision and a further review of the matter will now be carried out to identify any learning opportunities,” the statement continued.
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Foulkes says he has sought legal help and plans to sue the police force for wrongful arrest.
The Free Speech Union is raising money to cover the costs of his legal fight.
Concerns about free speech being under threat in the UK have drawn the attention of U.S. leaders like Vice President JD Vance.
In a speech to European leaders in February, Vance warned that Europe appeared to be retreating from some of its fundamental values it shares with the U.S. and adopting “Soviet-era” censorship.
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British commentator and former Mumford and Sons guitarist Winston Marshall recently appeared at a White House briefing to ask the Trump administration if they would consider giving political asylum to Brits who faced prosecution for posting “hate speech” online.
Monica Crowley confirmed by Senate to become ambassador for the Trump administration
Conservative author, media figure and former Treasury official Monica Crowley was confirmed late Monday to become assistant secretary of state and chief of protocol with the rank of ambassador.
Crowley, who was a longtime former Fox News contributor and foreign affairs analyst, previously served in the first Trump administration and received the Alexander Hamilton Award from the Treasury Department during that time.
“Monica will be the administration representative for major U.S. hosted events, including America’s 250th birthday in 2026, the FIFA World Cup in 2026, and the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028,” President Donald Trump said in a December statement announcing her nomination.
Crowley holds a doctorate in international relations from Columbia University.
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The Arizona native grew up in New Jersey and began her career in former President Richard Nixon’s post-presidency, when she worked as a research assistant.
Her book, “Nixon Off the Record,” was published in the wake of that role.
She joined Fox News Channel in 1996 – the same year it hit the airwaves – and often appeared with host Sean Hannity on “Hannity” and its predecessor “Hannity & Colmes,” with the late Alan Colmes.
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She also starred in one episode of “House of Cards,” where she played herself – and also hosted the syndicated “Monica Crowley Show.”
She has received several other awards, including Woman of the Year in 2010 from the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women.
During Trump’s first term, she backed out of a National Security Council role when allegations of plagiarism in her doctoral dissertation surfaced. Crowley rejected the claims as a “hit job.”
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The U.S. Travel Association lauded her nomination, saying that she will serve a “pivotal role” in the Trump administration.
“The speed with which this decision was made gives us great confidence that … Trump will seek to maximize the opportunities of the decade of sports and events that lies ahead,” said CEO Geoff Freeman.
“Landmark moments [she will be involved in planning] will attract millions of travelers to America and showcase the best of our great nation while creating a lasting benefit to our economy.”
‘The View’ co-host changes tune on new pope after learning about his ‘Black’ background
“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin revealed Monday she now “loves” Pope Leo XIV after discovering his “Black” background.
Hostin had previously expressed concerns about the new pontiff on Friday after his comments referencing the “homosexual lifestyle” resurfaced. On Monday, she spoke more optimistically about Pope Leo after learning his maternal grandparents were described as “people of color” on documents, with his grandfather’s original birthplace listed as Haiti.
“There’s one other thing that’s very interesting to me because President Trump, as you remember, called Haiti a certain type of country,” Hostin said. “As it turns out, our new American pope has Haitian and Black roots! So, we actually have a Black pope, apparently. It’s a chef’s kiss for me.”
After Pope Leo was announced on Thursday, Hostin said she was “concerned” about the LGBTQ community based on a statement he made in 2012 as a bishop where he described how pop culture had fostered “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel,” including the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children.”
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Hostin on Monday said she was more encouraged by Pope Leo based on comments from 2023 which she thought showed he had completely changed his position.
“He said, you know, he believes what Pope Francis believed is that a church is a church for everyone. The church is very inclusive. So, I’m liking this guy a lot! I’m loving the pope,” Hostin said.
Her co-hosts Ana Navarro and Whoopi Goldberg also praised Pope Leo after he gave a speech earlier that morning voicing support for imprisoned journalists.
“He said he stands in solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned for reporting the truth and urged them to avoid ideological or partisan language. I like that. I’m digging him,” Goldberg said.
“I love that one of his first acts was to meet with journalists and defend the right of journalists to be journalists and uncover the truth,” Navarro added. “And I think it’s so timely that we have an American pope because we are going through things in this country, and it is good to show the world that not all American leaders are the same. It’s good to have an American that can denounce the things happening against immigrants here.”
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“And it’s good to have a Black pope,” Hostin chimed in.
She again touted that he is a “Black pope” when other co-hosts shared their excitement about Pope Leo.
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Popular 90s band completely cancels tour after medical emergency during sound check
Alice in Chains has canceled their tour after receiving unfortunate medical news.
The band announced their decision to call off their highly anticipated upcoming tour on social media on Saturday, due to the medical advice they received regarding drummer Sean Kinney’s health.
“After careful consideration and following the advice of medical professionals, we have made the decision to cancel our remaining upcoming festival performances and the Alice in Chains headline shows,” the band’s statement read. “While we were all eager to return to the stage, Sean’s health is our top priority at this moment.”
The statement didn’t specify Kinney’s exact diagnosis, sharing only that “the issue requires immediate attention” and that “his long-term prognosis is positive.”
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They ended the statement by expressing their sincere appreciation for their fans’ “understanding and support during this time.”
Fans of the popular rock band were quick to flood the comment section on Instagram with well-wishes for Kinney, while also praising the band for putting his health ahead of the tour.
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“Get well Sean! The stage will still be there when you’re better and so will the fans,” one follower wrote in the comments section.
Another added, “Love to see a band that respects it’s members enough to put the most important things first. Respect. Best wishes to Sean.”
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News of the cancellation comes shortly after the band canceled their concert at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Montville, Connecticut on May 8, after Kinney “experienced a non-life-threatening medical emergency” during the soundcheck.
Had the group not canceled the show in Connecticut, it would have been the first time they performed on stage together in over a year, as their last show together was at the Sick New World festival in Las Vegas in April 2024.
In addition to canceling their tour, they also canceled upcoming performances in Nashville and Atlanta, as well as appearances at various music festivals, including MMR*B*Q, Sonic Temple and Welcome to Rockville. As of now, their only scheduled performance is during Black Sabbath’s final concert in the United Kingdom in July, according to the band’s website.
Alice in Chains was formed in Seattle in 1987, with Kinney playing the drums alongside bandmates Jerry Cantrell, Mike Starr and Layne Staley. Current band members, Mike Inez and William DuVall joined later, taking the place of Starr and Staley.
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Throughout their time as a band, they have sold over 30 million records worldwide, received 11 Grammy nominations and were ranked number 34 on VH1’s “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock” special.
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Woman goes viral after sitting next to the ‘nicest young man’ — doesn’t know he’s famous
A woman was given the surprise of a lifetime when Travis Hunter sat next to her on a plane – except she had no idea who Hunter even was.
Hunter, of course, is the two-way football star who turned his skills into a Heisman Trophy and became the second pick of the NFL Draft last month.
But, Hunter was on a United flight last week when he sat next to Sandy Hawkins Combs, who was flattered by Hunter.
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“I had the most wonderful flight home from Denver. I met the nicest young man who sat next to me. He offered to put my bag in the overhead compartment and helped me with my tray. He was always polite, saying ‘yes ma’am’ or ‘no ma’am.’ Anyone would be proud to have him as a son or grandson – so polite,” Combs said of Hunter in a Facebook post.
At this point, though, Combs still had no idea who this stranger was. But then, other passengers started noticing him.
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“People walking by were saying congratulations, great job, or even taking pictures. I turned and asked him, ‘Who am I sitting next to?’ I looked at his Jaguar pants, smiled, and asked, ‘Are you an athlete?’ He smiled and said, ‘I’m Travis. Yes, I was drafted by the Jags.’ I already told my sons I want his jersey,” Combs continued.
“He’s so humble and down-to-earth – I would have never guessed he was a professional athlete. JACKSONVILLE JAGS, you did good! I will be buying tickets. United Airlines, thank you for my seat assignment!”
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The Jaguars selected Hunter after trading up from No. 5. The Cleveland Browns originally held the second pick, and took on Jacksonville’s 2026 first-rounder in the process.