Former President Donald Trump and his longtime ally Tom Barrack were reaching out to the Egyptian government to share their opposition of the FIFA World Cup that will take place in Qatar in 2022. According to emails obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday, Barrack suggested that Trump could write a letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi expressing concerns about Qatar hosting the tournament. The emails also show that Barrack was attempting to set up a meeting between Trump and el-Sisi to discuss the matter further.
The emails between Barrack, a wealthy investor, and Trump’s aides, show a coordinated effort to use Trump’s influence to try to prevent Qatar from hosting the World Cup. The emails were sent in 2016 and 2017, before Trump took office as president. In one of the emails, Barrack referred to Qatar as a “terror state” and criticized their stance on terrorism.
The FIFA World Cup is one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world, and the decision to award the 2022 tournament to Qatar has been controversial. The country has faced accusations of human rights abuses and corruption in connection with the bidding process for the tournament.
Barrack, who was a close friend and advisor to Trump, is currently facing charges of illegally lobbying on behalf of the United Arab Emirates. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the emails about the World Cup.