From glitzy castles to marching camels: A look inside the jaw-dropping displays by Middle Eastern leaders to woo Trump including opulent architecture and sword-wielding surprises

The leaders of the Middle Eastern countries that President Donald Trump is visiting this week have discovered the keys to the American leader’s heart – grand displays and glitzy architecture. 

Trump was pumped for the pomp put on display in both Qatar and Saudi Arabia as he leaves for the United Arab Emirates mid-day Thursday.

He was hosted by both leaders in a series of palaces and other grand buildings that met his love of the ostentatious. 

On Wednesday night, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a state dinner for Trump at the opulent Lusail Palace.

There were camels on hand, and Arabian horses – leading the Beast, the presidential limo, to the palace’s doors. 

Once Trump got out of his vehicle, he was immediately treated to a performance by sword-dancers.  

While signing business and defense agreements early Wednesday evening alongside the emir, the 78-year-old former real estate developer stopped and asked those in the room to take in its architecture. 

‘This room is the real deal. That’s called white marble. It’s very hard to buy, believe me, I know very well, because you try to buy it and you can’t buy it,’ Trump said. ‘And you just take a look at what you have here. It’s been incredible – what you’ve been able to build as a nation.’ 

President Donald Trump marveled at the marble in the Amiri Diwan, the official workplace of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani

President Donald Trump walks alongside Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani as he arrives in Doha, Qatar – the second stop in his three-country tour of the Middle East this week

The Qatari state visit was taking place in the Amiri Diwan, the official administrative offices of the Emir, which started out as an 18th Century fort. 

Trump arrived to the Amiri Diwan Wednesday afternoon to great fanfare. 

His motorcade was led by two Qatarified Cybertrucks – a nod to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s role in Trumpworld. The billionaire DOGE leader had showed up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the first day of Trump’s trip. 

As the Beast arrived at the Amiri Diwan, Trump was able to take in dozens of camels. 

There were riders on Arabian horses stationed outside for him as well – but the camels were new, as there were Arabian horses for Trump the day before in Saudi. 

‘We appreciate those camels. I haven’t seen camels like that in a long time. That was some greeting,’ the president told the emir during their initial sit-down.

He complimented the marble at this point too. 

‘As a construction person I’m seeing perfect marble. This is what they call – perfecto,’ Trump said. 

President Donald Trump speaks with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani prior a state dinner at the Lusail Palace in Doha Wednesday night 

Arabian horses walk alongside President Donald Trump’s limousine as he arrived Wednesday to the Amiri Diwan, the official administrative offices of the Emir, which started out as an 18th Century fort

A Qatari police Tesla Cybertruck was part of President Donald Trump’s motorcade Wednesday afternoon when he arrived in Doha, Qatar

President Donald Trump complimented the camels that Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani used for both his arrival ceremony and that lined the state ahead of Wednesday night’s state dinner 

President Donald Trump (left) was treated to a tour of Diriyah, a giga-project built adjacent to the At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (right) as part of a state dinner with Saudi Arabia 

The night before, Trump was treated to a tour of Diriyah – what is being touted as Saudi Arabia’s ‘premier lifestyle destination’ – a giga-project built adjacent to the At-Turaif a UNESCO World Heritage that served as the first home for Saudi’s still-ruling royal family, the House of Saud. 

Development of the site will include 40 hotels and more than 300 residential units. 

Trump’s own company, the Trump Organization, is developing projects in all three of the countries that he’s visiting, with one property in the UAE already open and another six planned. 

At Diriyah, the president was greeted by gowned chanters and drummers as the ancient Salwa Palace was illuminated in the background. 

At every stop in Saudi, Trump was personally greeted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, or ‘MBS.’ 

The two chatted and smiled, posing for photographers and then toured a model of the giga-project with their entourage, which in Trump’s case included Elon Musk and several Cabinet secretaries. 

Then MBS personally drove Trump around the larger site in a golf cart. 

This came after the Saudis treated Trump to two official welcome ceremonies – one at the Royal Terminal of the King Khalid International Airport – where only royal family members and diplomatic guests have access – and again at the Royal Court. 

MBS personally drove President Donald Trump around in a golf cart Tuesday night to tour Diriyah

The Saudi crown prince rolled out a lavender carpet – the color of royalty – for President Donald Trump when he arrived in Riyadh first thing Tuesday morning 

Lavender carpets – the color of royalty – were rolled out at each locale. 

A military guard lined the carpets at the airport, while the Beast was accompanied by Arabian horses to the Royal Court. 

Once inside, Trump participated in a coffee ceremony and held several meetings with MBS and Saudi and U.S. business leaders in giant ornate ballrooms. 

The president delivered foreign policy remarks Tuesday afternoon at another ornate location –  the King Adbul Aziz International Conference Center – greeting guests with a domed entryway, far more opulent than the one in the U.S. Capitol, and featuring an enormous chandelier. 

Trump stayed in a grand locale too – but one with a colorful past. 

He stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, which MBS used to jail purged Saudi officials and family members in 2017 consolidate power. 

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