Donald Trump took billions and his family from the Saudis and he does not help them against the Houthis?

 

Donald Trump took billions and his family from the Saudis and he does not help them against the Houthis?

US President Donald Trump has officially authorized direct US military intervention against the Houthis, launching targeted airstrikes in Yemen following a dramatic escalation in the regional conflict.

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The U.S. Military Action Against the Houthis

While initial critiques highlighted U.S. reluctance to engage directly after Saudi Arabia blocked U.S. warplanes from using its airspace, the situation shifted rapidly:

• Direct Airstrikes Ordered: President Trump ordered aerial strikes hitting Houthi strongholds across Yemen—including Sana’a, Saada, and Hodeida—killing at least 31 rebels.
• Protecting Energy & Trade: Trump justified the attacks citing the Houthis' "relentless piracy and terrorism" targeting commercial ships and Saudi energy infrastructure.
• Warning to Iran: Trump publicly stated the U.S. will hold Iran "fully accountable" for the actions of its proxy, warning that the Houthis will face "hell like never before" if the attacks continue.

The Context of Saudi-Trump Financial Ties

The premise regarding billions in financial transactions stems from well-documented business dealings involving Donald Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, with Saudi entities post-presidency:

• The Affinity Partners Fund: Shortly after leaving the White House, Jared Kushner secured a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) for his private equity firm.
• Trump Organization Dealings: Donald Trump’s real estate company has entered into multimillion-dollar partnerships with Saudi firms, including hosting the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tournaments and collaborating on luxury housing projects in Oman.

Why Defending Saudi Arabia Is Complex

Despite the recent U.S. military strikes, defending the kingdom remains a steep challenge due to strategic shifts:

Factor	Description	Impact
Air Defense Gaps	Saudi Arabia has spent billions on U.S. Patriot and THAAD systems.	The sheer geographic volume of drone and missile threats from three sides remains highly difficult to stop 100% of the time.
Allied Ruptures	A political falling out between Saudi Arabia and the UAE led to Abu Dhabi withdrawing its forces from Yemen.	The move severely fractured the ground-level anti-Houthi coalition, leaving Saudi-backed forces isolated.
Basing Restrictions	Fearful of immediate Houthi retaliation on Gulf infrastructure, Riyadh previously denied the U.S. permission to use Saudi bases for regional shipping patrols.	Limited the initial scope of direct U.S. military cover until the threat hit critical mass.

Trump has stated that while the U.S. will actively target the Houthis to protect global navigation and allies, he firmly maintains that wealthy Gulf states should financially compensate the United States for prolonged military protection.