Democrats plan Trump corruption inquiry focusing on Middle East deals

Summarised from 5 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 7 Nov, 18:25 · Archive

Democrats say they will investigate alleged corruption in the Trump administration, with a focus on his Middle East business dealings.

After their midterm election victory, senior Democrats have promised to investigate corruption in the Trump administration when they take office in January. Polls taken around the election showed that voters had overriding concerns about corruption in the Trump administration.

Analysts say Middle East business dealings are likely to be a focus of these inquiries. Financial disclosures made by Trump in the middle of this year showed that his businesses made about $2 billion in income during 2025, triple the income he reported the previous year. According to observers, Middle Eastern countries and businesses contributed more to Trump's family businesses than any other region of the world, with Gulf entities paying around $300 million to the president's businesses in 2025. Much of this money came from the sale of a stake in cryptocurrency company World Liberty Financial.

Amy Hawthorne, a fellow at the Arab Center think tank in Washington, wrote after the midterms that the incoming Democratic majority would aggressively investigate the administration's alleged wrongdoings, with 'cases involving the Middle East' as 'their top targets'. Brian Katulis, a fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, noted in July that Middle Eastern countries and businesses had 'directly contributed to the bottom line of Trump's family businesses' more than any other region.

Trump responded to the planned investigations by demanding a Department of Justice probe and prison for Democrats he accused of extortion. He claimed Democrats were threatening Republicans and donors with imprisonment and prosecution despite having 'no reason to do so' and no impeachable acts being committed. He described the actions as 'weaponization and lawfare'.

How it is being reported

• Trump orders DOJ probe into Democrats over alleged threats against admin officialsPresident Donald Trump accused Democrats of threatening administration officials and Republican donors, ordering the DOJ to investigate alleged "criminal" conduct.Fox News · 7 Nov, 18:34
• Trump demands probe into 'extortionist' Democrats who are threatening to impeach RepublicansHe demanded the Department of Justice immediately investigate those Democrats who are sending the threats, pointing to Michigan's Senator Elissa Slotkin by name.Daily Mail · 7 Nov, 18:29
• Trump demands DOJ investigation, prison for ‘extortionist’ Democrats following GOP’s midterm blowoutTrump calls for a DOJ probe and prison for Democrats he accuses of threatening GOP officials and donors after midterms. Read more.New York Post · 7 Nov, 18:16
• USA: Democrats vow to investigate Donald TrumpIn this new era of divided government, Democratic lawmakers say their priorities will be tackling the rising cost of living, investigating alleged corruption and tightening oversight of ICE agents. Antonia Kerrigan reports.France 24 · 7 Nov, 09:36
• Critics say Democrats should look into Trump's Middle East deals in future corruption investigationsAfter their victory in the US midterm elections, the Democrats have promised to investigate corruption in the Trump administration. Critics say the president's Middle East deals is an area they should focus on.DW News · 6 Nov, 19:16
• Middle East could have big role in Democrats' Trump corruption inquiryAfter their victory in the US midterm elections, the Democrats have promised to investigate corruption in the Trump administration. Critics say the president's Middle East deals is an area they should focus on.DW News · 6 Nov, 19:16

In this story: Trump · Democratic Party · United States · Middle East · Amy Hawthorne · Brian Katulis

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