Here he goes again. President Trump is facing significant backlash after suggesting he might withhold U.S. aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refuse to take in Palestinians as part of a broader plan for the U.S. to manage and develop the Gaza Strip.
Lil Pump, Amber Rose and the rest of them must be proud.
When reporters asked if he would consider withholding aid, Trump replied, “Yeah, maybe. Sure, why not?” He confirmed that he would consider cutting off assistance if these countries do not agree to accept more Palestinians, potentially as part of a relocation effort.
Jordan and Egypt, both key U.S. military and foreign aid recipients, have firmly opposed such a plan. The U.S. signed a deal with Jordan in 2022 to provide over $1 billion annually in foreign assistance, and Egypt received approximately $1.5 billion in aid in fiscal 2023.
Trump’s comments come amid a proposal for the U.S. to take control of Gaza and transform it into an economic hub. However, he has suggested that Palestinians may not want to return to Gaza once it’s rebuilt. The proposal has faced strong opposition from regional leaders. Both Egypt and Jordan have stated they will not absorb more Palestinians, citing security concerns and the destabilizing effect it could have.
With Jordan already home to about 3 million Palestinians, many displaced by past conflicts, the situation remains tense. As Trump prepares to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Washington on Tuesday, the future of Gaza is expected to be a significant topic of discussion.
Meanwhile, Egypt announced plans to host a summit of Arab nations on Feb. 27 to address the ongoing situation and the future of Palestinian residents.
This is just wild stuff, and this POTUS hasn’t even been in office for A MONTH.
