By Katherine Tinsley
12:25pm PDT, May 16, 2025
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Donald Trump visited Al Udeid Air Base — the largest American military base in the Middle East — during his trip to Qatar on May 15.
While speaking in front of the American soldiers stationed in Qatar, the president made a shocking promise.
Keep reading for the details…
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Donald Trump celebrated the investment being made in American-made military goods during his tour of the
Middle East.
"Yesterday we signed an agreement for Qatar to purchase $42 billion worth of the finest American military hardware," Trump said. (Qatar will receive a Pegasus refueling aircraft, amphibious combat vehicles, the MQ-9B plane and more.)
"I don't think our friendship has ever been stronger than it is right now," he added in reference to the United States' budding diplomatic relationship with Qatar, which gifted the president a
luxury jet.
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Donald Trump was previously criticized for accepting a lavish present from the Qatari royal family, but he was proud to announce that the U.S. now has strengthened ties to the country.
"We have never had a relationship with Qatar as strong as it is now. You know that they're very happy, and we're going to protect you. We're going to protect you. That's the one thing you need, maybe, but I don't think you're going to need too much of that," Trump said at a business roundtable Thursday morning.
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Later in the day, Donald Trump claimed Arab nations were "starving for love," and he hinted at Joe Biden's administration ignoring the region.
"They felt abandoned and they were going to be captured by China," he said.
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While sitting next to Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, Donald Trump revealed his plans for a previously undisclosed Boeing F-55 fighter jet, which would be the improved version of the F-35.
"We're going to do an F-55, and I think if we get the right price — we have to get the right price — and that'll be two engines and a super upgrade on the F-35," Trump said.
"I think the most beautiful fighter jet in the world is the F-22, but we're going to do an F-22 super and it will be a very modern version of the F-22 fighter jet," the president continued.
"It travels with many, many — potentially hundreds of drones, right?" Trump asked the CEO. "You want to talk about that? Because it's very interesting."
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While the Boeing executive declined to comment on any upcoming projects "for security reasons," Donald Trump couldn't contain his excitement.
"Our Air Force will soon have the world's first and only sixth-generation fighter jet, the F-47. Why did they name it 47? Does anybody know? I don't know. It was a nice thing," Trump — who is both the 45th and 47th president of the United States — later bragged in his speech to the troops.
"It's quite the plane. … But we're also looking at an increased version of the F-35. I think we're gonna call it the F-55, which will be a double-engine plane," the real estate tycoon shared. "I like two engines on a plane. I'm sorry if I say that."
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After spending time discussing planes, Donald Trump announced his financial commitment to the military personnel in the crowd.
"You're a very special group of people," Trump said. "Pay raises to each and every one of you, substantial pay raises."
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In response, a loud cheer rang out across Al Udeid Air Base.
"My trip is four and a half days, but this is the one [stop] I was so looking forward to, because I'm with the people that I really love and respect," Donald Trump claimed.
"We love and respect you," he added. "This is what you're doing, the service you do for your country, for you, keep us safe."
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Donald Trump ended his speech by praising the U.S. and the change in its global reputation.
"We have a great country. We have a proud country. We have a country that's respected all over the world," he said. "And as I said before a year ago, we were laughed at, but nobody's laughing at our country in our country anymore."
"We're the most respected country anywhere in the world, and thank you very much, and enjoy your lives, and God bless America," the president concluded.
