On the third day of his Middle East tour, President Donald Trump addressed American troops stationed at Al Udeid Air Base, located outside Doha, Qatar — home to the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command. In a speech blending military praise with political messaging, Trump told the assembled service members that his goal is to “end conflicts, not start them,” while emphasizing, “I won’t hesitate to wield American power” to defeat its enemies.
Praise for Troops and Business Deals
Trump hailed the troops and aviators present as “the finest we have in the battle to defend civilization.” He also touted a series of major agreements with Qatar signed earlier in the week, including a multibillion-dollar package of business and defense deals. Among them was a $96 billion order of Boeing 787 aircraft.
Reflections on WWII and National Holidays
Touching on international relations and historical commemorations, Trump said he had recently spoken with several European leaders during events marking the end of World War II. He reiterated his pledge to establish two new national holidays in the United States to mark the occasion.
“Everybody was celebrating but us and we won the war! We won the war. Without us they don’t win the war, we’re all speaking German, maybe a little Japanese too,” he said.
In a pointed reference to France’s role during the war, Trump added: “I think we did a little more than France to win the war. When Hitler made the speech at the Eiffel Tower, that wasn’t exactly ideal.”
Support for Troops — With a Caveat
The former president also received applause when he promised to raise salaries for service members. However, he quipped: “You don’t have to take it, for the good of the country.”
Middle East Tour Continues
Trump began his day with a breakfast meeting with business leaders at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Doha before traveling to Al Udeid to deliver his address. The visit is part of a broader tour aimed at reinforcing diplomatic ties, promoting American business interests, and underscoring military cooperation in the region.
