Accuses Qatar of funding terrorism 'at a very high level' despite major U.S. military base there
At a press conference with Romania's president, Trump declared that Qatar has 'historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level' and claimed credit for Gulf nations confronting Qatar. The accusation came during a diplomatic crisis where Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations had cut ties with Qatar. Trump's statement directly contradicted Secretary of State Tillerson, who had called for easing the blockade just an hour earlier. The attack on Qatar was particularly reckless given that Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East with over 10,000 American troops. Trump appeared to be taking credit for a Saudi-led action that blindsided U.S. officials and undermined American diplomacy.
“The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level.” — Press conference with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, June 9, 2017
Analysis Feed
AI commentaryTrump's accusation against Qatar was extraordinarily reckless given Qatar's hosting of the largest U.S. military base in the region and its cooperation with U.S. counterterrorism efforts.
The statement directly contradicted his own Secretary of State and revealed complete lack of coordination within the administration on critical foreign policy.
Trump appeared to be reflexively supporting Saudi Arabia's position without understanding the complexities or consulting with his own national security team.
The episode demonstrated Trump's tendency to make impulsive foreign policy pronouncements based on limited understanding and personal relationships with autocratic leaders.