USA: Former US President Donald Trump has ignited a wave of backlash across the Arab world with a provocative video depicting Gaza as a luxurious resort. The video, titled “Gaza 2025 What’s Next?”, features AI-generated images of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lounging by a pool, Elon Musk dancing under a shower of cash, and golden statues of Trump towering over the coastline. The surreal imagery, set to a soundtrack portraying Trump as a savior, has been widely condemned as insensitive, trivializing Palestinian suffering while promoting his controversial vision of a “Trump Gaza” project.
The video follows Trump’s recent proposal for the United States to take control of Gaza after Israel’s military campaign against Hamas. His plan includes the forced relocation of Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, a suggestion that has been met with fierce opposition from Middle Eastern leaders. Palestinian officials, including Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), have denounced the proposal as “absurd” and “dangerous,” warning that it could destabilize the entire region. Saudi Arabia has reiterated its stance that diplomatic ties with Israel will not be established until an independent Palestinian state is recognized with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Social media erupted with outrage, with thousands condemning the video’s depiction of Gaza as an entertainment hub. Omar Hussein, a Jordanian student, criticized Trump’s narrative, stating: “Do you think a people who have endured death and destruction for over a year can be displaced so easily? Gaza will be your graveyard.” Other Arab commentators, including digital influencers and business figures, rejected the portrayal of a post-war Gaza as a tourism hotspot. Many saw the video as an attempt to erase Palestinian identity and history, using political theatrics to advance Trump’s ambitions.
Trump’s video has added fuel to ongoing tensions, with critics questioning whether the former president is seriously pursuing his “Trump Gaza” vision or simply using it as a publicity stunt. UN estimates indicate that Gaza’s reconstruction will require more than $53 billion, with aid efforts struggling due to Israeli restrictions. Meanwhile, a fragile ceasefire remains in place, but the humanitarian crisis persists. As outrage spreads globally, Trump’s video raises pressing concerns about whether his rhetoric is a strategic ploy or a genuine attempt to reshape Gaza’s future under American influence.
