Trump Hosts King Abdullah II, Threatens to Cut Aid to Jordan, Egypt Over Gaza Refugee Plan/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump is set to host Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House on Tuesday as he ramps up pressure on Jordan and Egypt to accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza—potentially on a permanent basis. Trump has floated the idea of U.S. “ownership” of Gaza, turning it into a luxury destination while relocating Palestinians to neighboring countries with no right of return. Jordan, home to over 2 million Palestinians, has firmly rejected the plan. Trump has hinted that U.S. aid could be withheld from countries that refuse to cooperate, escalating tensions with key Middle Eastern allies.
Trump’s Push for Gaza Resettlement: Quick Looks
- Trump will meet Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House, urging Jordan to accept displaced Palestinians from Gaza.
- Trump has proposed U.S. “ownership” of Gaza, with no right of return for Palestinians and potential relocation to Jordan and Egypt.
- Jordan and other Arab nations strongly oppose the plan, calling it a threat to regional stability and a two-state solution.
- Trump suggested withholding U.S. aid from Jordan and Egypt if they refuse to accept more Palestinian refugees.
- Trump’s administration initially framed the relocation as “temporary”, but he has now clarified that it would be permanent.
- King Abdullah will also meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other top U.S. officials.
- Trump has not ruled out sending U.S. troops to Gaza, though he insists no U.S. funds will go toward reconstruction.
Trump Hosts King Abdullah II, Threatens to Cut Aid to Jordan, Egypt Over Gaza Refugee Plan
Trump Hosts Jordan’s King Amid Gaza Refugee Tensions
Trump’s Controversial Gaza Plan: U.S. “Ownership” and Forced Relocation
President Donald Trump’s Middle East strategy is facing intense international criticism as he continues to push for the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza into neighboring countries—a move that Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab states have fiercely opposed.
During his upcoming White House meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Trump is expected to press Jordan to take in additional Palestinian refugees, despite strong pushback from the Jordanian government.
Trump recently declared that Palestinians would not have the right to return to Gaza, contradicting earlier statements from his administration that suggested the relocation was only temporary.
“No, they wouldn’t,” Trump told FOX News’ Bret Baier, when asked if Palestinians would be allowed to return under his plan.
His vision for Gaza includes:
- U.S. “ownership” of the territory
- Turning Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East”
- Resettling displaced Palestinians elsewhere, permanently
Jordan Rejects Trump’s Plan as “Unacceptable”
Jordan, which already houses over 2 million Palestinian refugees, has made its stance clear.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, recently stated:
“Our opposition to this idea is firm and unwavering.”
Jordanian officials are concerned that forcing more Palestinians into Jordan would:
- Jeopardize a future two-state solution
- Create security risks within Jordan
- Undermine Jordan’s stability
Despite this, Trump remains adamant, suggesting that he could cut off U.S. aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refuse to cooperate.
“Yeah, maybe. Sure, why not?” Trump told reporters when asked if he would withhold aid.
“If they don’t, I would conceivably withhold aid, yes.”
U.S. Foreign Aid as a Pressure Tactic
Both Jordan and Egypt are among the largest recipients of U.S. foreign aid, with Jordan receiving over $1.45 billion annually and Egypt receiving $1.3 billion annually, mostly in military assistance.
- Jordanian officials fear that losing U.S. aid could destabilize the country.
- Egypt has also expressed security concerns over accepting large numbers of Palestinian refugees.
Who Else Will King Abdullah Meet in Washington?
During his visit, King Abdullah will also hold meetings with:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- National Security Adviser Mike Waltz
- Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Trump’s Proposal Raises Diplomatic and Military Questions
Trump first introduced his Gaza resettlement idea in a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week.
- Trump has not ruled out deploying U.S. troops to help secure Gaza if needed.
- However, he insists that no U.S. money will be used for Gaza reconstruction, leading to uncertainty over how his plan would be implemented.
What Happens Next?
- Jordan will likely maintain its rejection of Trump’s plan.
- Trump may increase pressure on Egypt and Jordan, possibly through diplomatic or financial leverage.
- Arab states and Palestinian leaders are expected to continue opposing forced resettlement.
As the Middle East remains on edge, Trump’s aggressive foreign policy approach could further strain U.S. relations with key allies.
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