Trump marvels at wealth of his Arab hosts while he eyes White House and Air Force One upgrades

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Donald Trump is the most powerful and famous person on the planet, at the helm of the biggest economy and the strongest military.

But on his trip to the Middle East this week, the American president is sounding more than a little envious of his Arab hosts.

He admired the marble in the Qatari palace as “perfecto” and “very hard to buy.” He praised the “gleaming marvels” of the skyline in Saudi Arabia. And he groused about the “much smaller” and “much less impressive” plane that is Air Force One.

On his flight to the region, Trump said the Gulf states all have “these brand-new Boeing 747s," while he was stuck using a version nearly 40 years old.

The president is so impatient for a replacement plane that he is considering accepting a donated model from Qatar, despite concerns that it could be less secure, costly to retrofit and a violation of the U.S. Constitution's prohibition on foreign gifts. He presented no national security imperative for a swift upgrade rather than waiting for Boeing to finish new Air Force One jets that have been in the works for years.

It sounded like a case of keeping up with the Joneses, only in this case the Joneses are oil-rich leaders of Middle Eastern autocracies. For a former real estate developer with flamboyant tastes, Trump's trip has been a tantalizing peek into the lives of his more opulent counterparts.

“The job you've done is second to none,” Trump told Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, gazing up at his surroundings in the palace known as the Amiri Diwan. “You look at this, it's so beautiful. As a construction person, I'm seeing perfect marble. This is what they call perfecto.”

There have been other lavish touches on the trip, which will wind up with a stop in the United Arab Emirates. Air Force One received fighter jet escorts, honor guards stood by with golden swords in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the presidential limousine was welcomed by riders on camelback in Doha, Qatar.

“We appreciate those camels,” Trump told Al Thani. "I haven't seen camels like that in a long time. That was some greeting."

He continued to praise Qatar at a state dinner, where he mused that there “wasn't a tree out of place” in the landscaping. Trump was astounded by the accommodations in Lusail, a new city outside of Doha that was built from the ground up.

“This is not your normal house. This is a palace," he said after signing the guest book.

Nothing was said about the migrant workers who raced to develop the country’s infrastructure for the World Cup tournament three years ago, or Qatar's lack of political freedom, which makes possible such elaborate central planning.

The Republican president's admiration reflects an aesthetic and political vision at odds with American tradition. After declaring independence from the British monarchy, the Founding Fathers wanted to eschew anything that suggested royalty. Even as the United States emerged as the global superpower, the country and its leaders emphasized a facade of humility.

But that's never been Trump's style. The billionaire's New York City penthouse is embellished with gold and marble, and parts of his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida are modeled after France's Palace of Versailles.

After winning a second term last year, Trump is eager to bring the same approach to the presidency, and it's likely that his visit to the Middle East will fuel his desire for renovations. The White House, despite its grandeur, can be quite cramped. Office space is limited, and state dinners are sometimes held in a fancy tent to accommodate enough guests.

Trump said he wants to build "a beautiful, beautiful ballroom like I have at Mar-a-Lago, as beautiful as can be." He promised to foot the $100 million bill.

“I think we've outgrown the tent stuff, right, don't you think?” he said recently.

Trump has also talked about paving over the lawn in the Rose Garden, turning it into a patio with “gorgeous stone” that would be easier for holding events.

Some upgrades have already taken place, particularly in the Oval Office. There are gold accents to the fireplace, doorway arches, walls and other areas of the room. The walls have become increasingly packed with portraits of past presidents. A model of a new Air Force One — complete with a paint scheme that echoes his personal jet — sits on a table in the center of the room.

One prized addition is a copy of the Declaration of Independence, which is concealed behind a curtain to protect it from sunlight. He sometimes dramatically unveils the document for guests.

“You see the new and improved Oval Office as it becomes more and more beautiful,” the president told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a recent visit. He said it's been renovated “with great love and 24-karat gold — that always helps too."

President Donald Trump signs a FIFA soccer ball as Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and FIFA President Gianni Infantino looks on at the Lusail Palace, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Doha, Qatar, as they marked the passing of World Cup hosting duties from Qatar, which held it in 2022, to the United States, which is hosting in 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani welcomes President Donald Trump during an official welcoming ceremony at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman walk during an arrival ceremony at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump gestures as meets Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on his way to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sign documents during a signing ceremony at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani welcomes President Donald Trump during an official welcoming ceremony at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.

The blast occurred as guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping at the house, causing part of the house to collapse, according to the Islamabad police. Seven people were injured.

In a statement, police said the explosion occurred in a residential area in the heart of the city. A government administrator, Sahibzada Yousaf, said authorities were alerted about the blast early Sunday and officers are still investigating. He said some nearby homes were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the victims’ families, according to a statement from his office. He directed health authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible treatment and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks. Police said investigations were ongoing.

Government officials survey the damage of a home caused by a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)