Crown Jewel Capitalism: Desert Royals Invest in Trump Scions
📰 THE STORY: The Financial Times reports that a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family invested a significant sum in a cryptocurrency venture spearheaded by a member of the Trump family, framing it as a convergence of Gulf wealth and American political-business influence. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The Gulf monarchies, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have long been
propped up by Western powers (primarily the US and UK) to secure oil interests and act as regional counterbalances. After the 1953 CIA coup in Iran and the subsequent entrenchment of Gulf petrodollar systems, these states became critical nodes in the imperial network. Their financial interests are deeply intertwined with Western political and economic elites. Double Standard: Imagine if a Russian
oligarch or a Chinese state-affiliated entity made such an investment with a prominent American political family. The headlines would scream 'foreign influence,' 'national security threat,' and 'election interference.' Yet, when it's a Gulf royal, it's framed as a legitimate business transaction. This exposes the media's selective outrage, triggered only when 'adversaries' play the same game
'allies' have mastered. Follow the Money: This isn't just about a crypto investment; it's about cementing influence. The UAE, like Saudi Arabia, spends millions on lobbying in Washington DC. According to OpenSecrets, Saudi Arabia spent over $38 million on lobbying in 2022 alone, and the UAE consistently spends in the tens of millions. These investments, whether in crypto ventures or traditional