President Donald Trump surprised U.S. Armed Forces personnel on Thursday by visiting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
The president walked in to a live performance of “God Bless the USA” and resounding applause.
“As President, my priority is to end conflicts, not start them — but I will never hesitate to wield American power if it’s necessary to defend the United States of America,” Trump told the troops in attendance.
“No visit in the Gulf would be complete without stopping to salute the people who keep America Safe, Strong, and Free—and the patriots of the United States Army, Navy, Space Force… The Marines, and, of course, the United States Air Force… All of you are the tip of the spear… in the fight against the enemies of civilization,” he also stated.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also spoke to the officers in Qatar.
“I look out into this audience and I truly see the eyes of American STRENGTH,” he said.
The president’s full speech is available here.
Trump became the first American president to visit Qatar on Wednesday as he arrived in the Middle Eastern nation to sign a $1.2 trillion economic commitment.
The deals encompassed various sectors, including aviation, energy, defense, and emerging technologies, bolstering American manufacturing and innovation.
A significant highlight was a $96 billion agreement between Qatar Airways and U.S. companies Boeing and GE Aerospace. This deal involves the purchase of up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft, all powered by GE Aerospace engines.
It stands as Boeing’s largest-ever widebody and 787 order, expected to support approximately 154,000 U.S. jobs annually, totaling over 1 million jobs throughout the production and delivery phases, according to a White House fact sheet.
“As the dealmaker in chief, President Trump’s latest achievement in Qatar is another win for America,” the White House fact sheet concluded.
Trump’s visit also included a stop in Saudi Arabia, where he signed additional historic deals and met with Syria’s interim president.
