Former President Donald Trump’s recent foray back onto the political stage featured not just bold proposals but also bizarre imagery when he posted an AI-generated video depicting his envisioned future for Gaza. The short clip, made public on his social media platform Truth Social, sparked outrage and disbelief as it outlined what Trump perceives as the next chapter for the devastated Palestinian territory.
Trump’s video, released on February 7, follows his shocking comments made during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this month. During this gathering, Trump suggested the U.S. could "take over the Gaza Strip" and expel its two million Palestinian residents, proposing they relocate to neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt. According to Trump, this would transform Gaza, which he dubbed the "Riviera of the Middle East," from its current war-torn state to the site of luxurious new developments.
The AI-generated video, which runs for only 33 seconds, encapsulated this dream with cringeworthy visuals. It opens with stark scenes of destruction from modern-day Gaza, which quickly transition to images of opulence, featuring golden skyscrapers and luxury resorts adorned with the label "Trump Gaza." Accompanied by upbeat music and lyrics declaring, "Donald’s coming to set you free, bringing the life for all to see," the video envisions children frolicking on pristine beaches, partying with scantily clad dancers, and Elon Musk indulging at trendy eateries.
The imagery, which included Trump dancing by a poolside and holding parties with belly dancers, incited heavy criticism across social media platforms, even from individuals who typically support Trump. Many users on Truth Social branded the video as “weird,” “insensitive,” and “repugnant.” One critic lamented, "I have supported you since day one, but this is filth. There is no God in this.”
The outrage did not stop with social media criticism. Prominent Palestinian voices directly rejected Trump’s vision. Ahmed al-Soufi, the mayor of Rafah, slammed the video as “a fantasy” and insisted, “If Mr. Trump wants to give Palestinians a place to live in dignity and have a future, he must grant them a state alongside Israel.”
Reactions from Arab leaders have been equally dismissive. Jordan’s King Abdullah II stated firmly against the Israeli-Palestinian displacement Trump suggested, reaffirming what he termed the “unified Arab position.” Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty also voiced his disapproval, reiterifying Egypt's refusal to participate in any plan perceived as unjust to the Palestinians.
Backlash also stemmed from within the U.S., where several Republican senators expressed skepticism about Trump’s plans. Sen. Rand Paul declared, “We have no business in Gaza,” emphasizing voter preference for focusing on American domestic issues rather than international ambitions. Meanwhile, Senator Josh Hawley questioned whether U.S. military resources should be spent on the Gaza takeover, insisting it was not the best utilization of energy.
Despite the chaos brewing around his Gaza plan, Trump remains confident. He described his vision as one of unprecedented opportunity, aiming to rejuvenate the Gaza Strip economically. His appeal to leaders of Arab nations to produce proposals of their own was framed as Trump positing himself as the indispensable negotiator. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported this idea, declaring: “All these countries say how much they care about the Palestinians. If the Arab countries have a good plan, then that's great.”
Critics, including those from within the Trump administration and political commentators, argue this tactic could reflect more of his showmanship than actionable diplomacy. The AI-generated video also raises significant questions about international law and humanitarian ethics, particularly concerning the forced displacement of populations.
The peculiar nature of the video reflects Trump's perpetual disregard for traditional diplomatic norms, blending outrageous promotional tactics with serious geopolitical proposals. For many, it stands as the quintessential example of his leadership style—bold, unpredictable, and often alien to diplomatic protocol.
The conversation surrounding Trump's vision for Gaza continues, transcending beyond mere social media commentary and drawing attention to the complex realities faced by Palestinians, who are left reeling from prolonged conflicts and humanitarian crises. Local reactions from Gaza underline this stark reality, as students and residents express their determination not to accept external figures reshaping their homeland’s identity. “We as Palestinians won’t let Trump and his people do what they want to do as he did in this video. We can’t accept this transformation of our culture,” asserted Hussam Al Sharif, a 19-year-old Palestinian student.
This incident, emblematic of Trump's controversial relationship with Middle Eastern policy, opens avenues for wider discourse on how leaders envision recovery and justice for regions grappling with conflict. The fallout from this video likely won’t dissipate quickly—ensuring Trump’s Gaza ambitions remain at the forefront of discussions on the future of the Middle East.