AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar—President Donald Trump visited Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on May 14, the third day of his Middle East tour, delivering a speech to nearly 2,000 soldiers. Trump thanked the troops for making the United States “incredibly proud.”
Al Udeid Air Base, located just southwest of Doha, Qatar, is the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East. The base can accommodate up to 120 aircraft and 10,000 troops.
The base played a pivotal role during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, serving as the primary logistical and operational hub for evacuating tens of thousands of people.
It also functioned as a central base for U.S. Central Command’s air campaign against the ISIS terrorist group, coordinating and launching airstrikes and surveillance missions across Iraq and Syria.
During his speech, Trump announced that his proposed 2026 budget includes a pay increase for U.S. military personnel. He touted key changes he has made since returning to office, including the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; gender-related policies; and “political correctness” in the military.
He praised the recent surge in military enrollment, claiming that it had reached its highest level in years. Trump also declared that the country has a renewed “spirit” that began on Nov. 5, 2024, referring to Election Day.
“We will fight, fight, fight and win, win, win,” he said as he closed his remarks.
Before he visited the military base, Trump joined a business roundtable in Doha.
On May 14, Trump was welcomed with a lavish ceremony by Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, followed by a bilateral meeting where the two leaders signed agreements to strengthen economic ties. During the visit, U.S. companies secured deals totaling $244 billion, including more than $90 billion in Boeing jet sales to Qatar Airways.
It is the first state visit by a U.S. president to Qatar.
During his speech at the U.S. base, Trump touted the new agreements signed with Qatar, including $42 billion in military sales.
He said his second term “will be better” than his first term, telling the soldiers that he will bring $10 trillion in foreign investment into the U.S. economy.
After his speech, Trump headed to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for the last leg of his trip.
The president will wrap his meetings in Abu Dhabi and head to Washington on May 15.
