Former Vice President Mike Pence has sharply criticized President Donald Trump for remarks he made during a recent trip to the Middle East, calling Trump’s comments a betrayal of American service members and a break from long-standing presidential norms.
Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press in an interview aired Sunday, Pence expressed disapproval over Trump’s speech in Saudi Arabia, in which the president attacked decades of U.S. foreign policy, particularly interventions in the Middle East. Trump blamed what he described as “so-called nation-builders, neo-cons, or liberal non-profits” for destabilizing the region.
“I’ve never been a fan of American presidents criticizing America on foreign soil,” Pence said. “To hear the president undermine America’s global war on terror while standing in Saudi Arabia — where 15 of the 19 9/11 hijackers came from — was deeply unfortunate. It disrespects generations of Americans who wore the uniform and fought our enemies in Iraq and Afghanistan.”Pence, who served as Trump’s vice president during his first term, has gradually distanced himself from his former running mate, especially on matters of national security and foreign policy. His latest rebuke highlights growing internal divisions within the Republican Party as it heads toward the 2026 midterms.
Criticism Over Qatari Jet Deal
Pence also condemned Trump’s recent decision to accept a $400 million private jet from Qatar — a controversial move during the same Middle East trip. The aircraft, reportedly meant to serve as a new version of Air Force One, was offered as part of a broader bilateral agreement.
“The very idea that we would accept an Air Force One from Qatar, a country with ties to Hamas and Iran-backed groups, is a serious national security concern,” Pence said. “It undermines our intelligence protocols, our independence, and frankly, our values.”Trump’s Middle East Tour Raises Eyebrows
Trump’s first overseas trip of his second term marked a clear departure from traditional U.S. diplomacy. Rather than press Middle Eastern leaders on issues such as human rights, press freedom, or regional democratization — priorities pursued by past presidents from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama — Trump focused on economic deals and personal praise for regional rulers.
During the trip, Trump announced what he called “historic” investment agreements totaling more than $2 trillion, including:
A $150 billion defense deal between Saudi Arabia and U.S. weapons manufacturers.
Qatar’s purchase of 160 Boeing aircraft.
Promises of expanded energy cooperation and infrastructure development.Trump also raised eyebrows for his unusually flattering descriptions of Middle Eastern leaders. He called Syria’s newly installed president “attractive” and “tough” — despite the U.S. having previously designated him a terrorist figure — and referred to members of the Qatari royal family as “tall, handsome guys.”
A Shift from First-Term Policies
The trip marks a dramatic contrast to Trump’s first presidency, when he imposed a controversial travel ban on several majority-Muslim countries — including Syria and Iran — and labeled Qatar a “high-level funder of terrorism.” Now, Qatar is being publicly praised by Trump as a “key partner in peace and prosperity.”
Pence’s public objections reflect concern among establishment Republicans about the direction of Trump’s second-term foreign policy, which appears to be more transactional and less value-driven.
“This isn’t the America I know,” Pence concluded. “We should lead by example — not by deals that compromise our integrity or our alliances.”