Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump is set to embark on a Middle East tour from May 13-16, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, with Israel potentially added to the itinerary, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Leavitt firmly denied earlier reports suggesting a presidential visit to Turkey, calling such claims “pure fiction.”
The false narrative, which originated from a fabricated CNN story, had sparked speculation in Turkey, with some outlets celebrating it as evidence of Trump’s close ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. However, Leavitt clarified that no plans for a Turkey visit exist, as reported by @mignatiou for Hellas Journal. The misinformation had also misquoted this outlet, falsely claiming that if a fourth country were added to the trip, it would be Turkey.
The White House’s announcement puts an end to the rumors, confirming Trump’s focus on strengthening ties with key Gulf allies and potentially Israel. Further details of the trip are expected to be released closer to the departure date.
Published: April 22, 2025