[Trump's] soft approach, however, to the Saudi Crown Prince -- that he was welcome to join the Abraham Accords "in your own time" -- could easily be a "never"....

"This is Qatar's classic game: support the Islamist terrorists and then present itself as a mediator, liaison, and even peacemaker – the arsonist playing firefighter. As in Afghanistan, as in Egypt in 2010, and as in every Muslim country." — Yigal Carmon, a former Israeli intelligence officer and founder and president of the Middle East Media and Research Institute (MEMRI), May 15, 2025.

"Mr. Trump revealed the essential philosophy behind his foreign-policy decisions: He hates war and loves gold. That's it. To hear it fully, to get near its meaning and debate its sufficiency, you had to step over so much broken glass. 'Flying Palace' Violates Emoluments Clause. Sons Enjoy Steep Profits From Trump Presidency." — Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal, May 15, 2025.

If Trump is really serious about achieving his goal of bringing peace to Gaza, then his first course of action should be to persuade the Qataris to end their funding of Hamas, which has allowed it to maintain its murderous war against Israel. Trump should also once again demand that Qatar's client, Hamas, release all remaining hostages by the end of the week.

"The President is offering a foreign-policy realism built on commerce, but shorn of American idealism." — Wall Street Journal Editorial Board, May 16, 2025.

Also, what precedent is being set? Would the first gesture toward all future administrations be to bestow lavish tributes on the president and his family members to gain preferential treatment from the US?

Trump's political rivals may well be hoping that their chance has finally come to impeach him again -- this time with $400 million dollars' worth of evidence. "Sorry," the New York Post noted, "this 'gift' is far from free; Qatar will surely expect something in return."

Trump would be well-advised to reconsider their gift of a luxury jet and reject this highly questionable offer.

Since we are now used to a new kind of journalism, let's call that the journalism of what might be, as opposed to what has actually happened. In it, projection, not to say fantasy, often replaces the reporting of facts.

[W]e were immediately told that Leo XIV will continue the path traced by Pope Francis by supporting the Palestinian cause, showing an understanding of "alternative lifestyles", becoming a defender of the poor and illegal immigrants and an anti-Trump activist, in short a very woke pope.

The first Pope Leo, who headed the Catholic Church from 440-461, was canonized a saint because, according to lore or legend, he met Attila the Hun and persuaded the ruthless invader of Europe to spare Rome. Today, Leo XIV may be facing another Attila in the shape of the woke movement that tries to re-write history, redefine faith and remold the world by championing fake noble causes.