The Billion-Dollar Brand: How Syrian Magnates Used the “Trump” Name to Reshape U.S. Policy

A group of Syrian-born billionaires, the Khayyat brothers, successfully navigated the corridors of Washington by employing a unique brand of diplomacy: aligning themselves with the Trump name. Their goal was the repeal of the Caesar Act, a strict sanctions law that had effectively frozen reconstruction efforts in war-torn Syria.

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A Strategy of High-Stakes Influence

To gain traction with the administration, the brothers utilized a mix of financial power and symbolic loyalty:

• The “Foundation Stone”: In a bold move, Mohamad al-Khayyat proposed a Trump-branded golf course in the Middle East. He even presented U.S. officials with a framed foundation stone for the project, signaling a desire for a long-term business partnership.
• Political Proximity: The Khayyats secured access to high-level inaugural events and dinner ceremonies, placing themselves directly in front of key decision-makers.
• The Economic Hook: They pitched a $12 billion reconstruction plan, arguing that lifting sanctions was the only way to unlock international banking and stabilize the region’s infrastructure.

The Policy Pivot

The effort culminated in December 2025, when the Caesar Act was repealed as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Supporters claimed the move was necessary to provide “investors certainty” for humanitarian recovery, while critics saw it as a significant shift in U.S. human rights policy driven by private interests.

The Official Stance

The Trump Organization and the White House have firmly denied any connection between the President’s business brand and his foreign policy. They maintain that the repeal was a strategic decision based on regional stability, dismissing any suggestions of a “pay-to-play” arrangement as unfounded.