How US Media Covered Trump’s Plan for Gaza
President Donald Trump has shocked the world with his proposal to control Gaza and relocate its entire population, a plan not yet fully fleshed out but seriously discussed by his advisors. Trump’s statements alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dominated American newspaper coverage on Tuesday, delving deep into the implications of this proposal.
The New York Times
The New York Times labeled the idea of relocating Gaza’s residents as one of the most “audacious” proposals by an American president, suggesting Trump relished Netanyahu’s praise for “thinking outside the box.” However, in terms of Gaza, the paper argues, Trump’s thinking was so far beyond conventional that it was unclear if there was even a box to begin with. Their analysis likened Trump’s vision of turning Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East” to something one might hear on a satirical radio show two decades ago, describing it as provocative, unconventional, shocking, and unpresidential.
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal highlighted Trump’s contradictions, titling their coverage “Trump Ran on Ending Foreign Interventions, Now Wants to Control Gaza,” pointing out that while he campaigned on reducing America’s international role, since taking office, he has expressed a more interventionist global vision, causing global shockwaves. The paper noted that controlling the contentious Gaza Strip would place the U.S. at the heart of one of the world’s most complex diplomatic, security, and national conflicts, especially with Trump not ruling out sending American forces to achieve his objectives.
The Washington Post
The Washington Post described this idea as the first indicator of Trump’s hubristic approach to the region, engaging in a decades-long conflict with confidence that he could succeed where American diplomats have failed. It suggested Trump’s proposal seemed to give little regard to the will and demands of the Palestinian people. A piece by Ishaan Tharoor discussed how Arab nations are now grappling with Trump’s desire to enact what could amount to ethnic cleansing, hinting at his willingness to use military force, labeling it as a costly, deadly, and politically explosive American commitment despite his administration’s criticisms of foreign interventions.
The Washington Times
The Washington Times focused on Trump’s statement that he wouldn’t rule out using military force to control Gaza and relocate its inhabitants, describing the strip as “hell” even before Israel’s war following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Trump left many questions unanswered about his plans, including where 2.2 million Gazans would be moved, what would happen to those who refuse to leave, and the U.S. role in reconstruction. He suggested a “long-term American ownership” could turn Gaza into an economic powerhouse competing with the world’s top resorts.
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times explored the leverage Trump might use to implement his plan, suggesting he could exploit U.S. aid to Egypt and Jordan as bargaining chips. It noted that hardline right-wing ministers in Netanyahu’s government have embraced his call to move Palestinians out of Gaza. The paper also highlighted a potential shift in Trump’s stance on the two-state solution, where, when asked if he still supported his 2020 plan for a Palestinian state, he responded, “Many plans change over time.”
