By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Trump announced plans to authorize the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit. This decision raises concerns of potential security pacts and business deals, as the Trump Organization is reportedly in talks to develop a Trump-branded property within a major Saudi real estate project. Watchdog groups have criticized the move, citing the merger of Trump’s business interests with U.S. foreign policy and concerns over human rights, alongside worries that the sale could give China access to sensitive technology. The F-35 program is also projected to cost US taxpayers trillions of dollars, with the sales being internally questioned over concerns about Trump’s business dealings with the kingdom.
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Trump’s pledge to sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia is widely and rightfully viewed as massively corrupt. The core issue revolves around the intertwining of personal financial gain and national security decisions, a pattern that has become disturbingly familiar during this administration. The mere consideration of such a deal raises serious questions about conflicts of interest and the prioritization of personal wealth over the safety and strategic interests of the United States.
It is impossible to ignore the context surrounding this potential sale. The involvement of the former president’s family in business ventures within Saudi Arabia is deeply concerning. Reports indicate that close relatives have established significant business ties, raising the suspicion that these deals may be influenced by political favors or decisions. Any transaction involving the sale of sensitive military technology, like the F-35, immediately invites scrutiny when these sorts of financial entanglements are in the mix.
The potential sale of advanced weaponry to Saudi Arabia also raises serious strategic questions. Critics fear that the F-35s could eventually fall into the wrong hands, whether through direct transfer or the sharing of intelligence. Some fear those very same jets will be used to attack American interests, or simply fall into the hands of terrorists. The history of Saudi Arabia’s relationship with various factions and groups in the Middle East is also something to seriously consider, adding another layer of complexity to the equation.
The financial implications of this deal are also worth examining. The former president’s personal financial gain seems to be a significant motivating factor. This would seem to be a deal structured to enrich specific individuals, rather than serve the broader interests of the country. Any promise to provide the Saudis with this level of advanced military hardware, and the lucrative contracts that come with it, smells overwhelmingly of corruption.
This situation reveals a troubling pattern of behavior. Some individuals may view this as “just another deal,” however, it is representative of a systematic disregard for established norms and ethical conduct. A former president’s actions, in particular, should be held to a higher standard, with their decisions guided by the best interests of the country, not by personal enrichment. The fact that the administration is even considering such a deal in light of the country’s history and the potential for abuse is alarming.
The timing of this potential sale is also worth noting. These kinds of deals typically take years to finalize. It is highly unlikely that Saudi Arabia would take possession of any F-35s immediately.
One of the more complex arguments supporting the sale attempts to frame it as a strategic necessity. The line of thought presented is that if the U.S. doesn’t sell them, the Russians or Chinese will. However, this argument ignores the critical issues of oversight and accountability. Even if selling to Saudi Arabia is the lesser of two evils, it doesn’t change the fact that this deal, with all its financial connections, smacks of corruption.
The hypocrisy is also hard to overlook. The same individuals who express concern about the rising influence of China and Russia in the Middle East also appear to be willing to overlook Saudi Arabia’s history with 9/11 and other questionable practices for the sake of a quick buck. These kinds of contradictions are a staple of this situation.
The U.S.’s relationship with Israel complicates the matter. The Saudis are our best customer, purchasing an absurd amount of weapons from us and actually paying us for them. It is important to note that the U.S. policy has always been to give Israel an edge over everyone else in the Middle East, so this deal may be a betrayal of Israel as well.
It is worth noting that some see it as no surprise that the deal is corrupt. Trump’s entire existence seems to be synonymous with self-interest and a disregard for ethical boundaries. As such, the proposed sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia should be seen as another example of how corruption has become normalized, even celebrated, in the highest echelons of power.