Runaway Country with Alex Wagner Will Trump Profit from War with Iran?
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Apr 2, 2026 A probing look at whether foreign cash and Gulf influence shape U.S. policy toward Iran. Conversations trace close ties between Trump-era figures and Saudi money, plus how investments and security deals create leverage. Discussion also covers profiteering schemes, conflicts of interest across appointees, and how transactional politics reshape national decisions.
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MBS Built A Transactional Bond With Trump
- Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has an unusually close, transactional relationship with Trump centered on weapons purchases and investment promises.
- The November 2025 visit yielded promises of up to $1 trillion in U.S. investments, F-35 access, and an enhanced security agreement.
Gulf States Are Trapped Between War and Peace
- Gulf states publicly call for diplomacy yet privately feel trapped between continued Iranian threats and the fallout from war.
- Saudis, UAE, Qatar and others initially tried to stop the war but now see leaving Iran intact as unacceptable given Strait of Hormuz disruptions.
Saudi Money Tied To Kushner Complicates Diplomacy
- Saudis rewarded Jared Kushner-era allies with massive investments as a way to buy influence and protection.
- Kushner received $2 billion from the Saudi Public Investment Fund, creating financial ties that complicate U.S. negotiations.