Leader of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Özgür Özel alleged at a political rally in Istanbul’s Bahçelievler district that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently hosted a son of US President Donald Trump to discuss business interests.
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| Turkish opposition says Erdoğan working with Trump Jr. Turkish opposition says Erdoğan working with Trump Jr. If confirmed, the alleged meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and President Erdoğan would follow a familiar pattern: Donald Trump Jr. stepping into diplomatic or quasi-diplomatic roles, often under ambiguous or informal guises. In many cases, the line between private travel and political signalling has been deliberately blurred. |
The comments by Özel heavily imply that Donald Trump Jr. and Erdoğan met with the goal of discussing the post-war redevelopment of Gaza:
“Trump has his eyes on both Palestine and Cyprus. Let me explain: just last Saturday, he anonymously hosted Trump’s son, Trump Jr, at his office in Dolmabahçe. They entered into negotiations. They listed him as a businessman, but did not include his name. While Palestine is suffering, they’re working with Trump’s son through lobbying firms, and abandoning Palestine to Trump. Palestine will not forgive you, Erdoğan.”
In February 2025, President Trump shared an AI-generated video on social media showing a post-war redeveloped Gaza featuring skyscrapers and sandy beaches. The video, which generated controversy, came amidst a proposal by the Trump administration for the US to take control of the Gaza Strip and transform it into a “Riviera”, expelling the territory’s 2.1 million occupants.
If confirmed, the alleged meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and President Erdoğan would follow a familiar pattern: Donald Trump Jr. stepping into diplomatic or quasi-diplomatic roles, often under ambiguous or informal guises. In many cases, the line between private travel and political signalling has been deliberately blurred.
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The Greenland episode is a prime example. Although billed as a personal visit with the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the trip revived speculation about Donald Trump’s long-standing interest in acquiring the territory. The combination of a Trump-branded aircraft, high-profile political companions, and local unease showed how quickly a “private” journey could carry significant diplomatic weight.
Written/translated for Medyascope by Leo Kendrick
