President Donald Trump welcomed Jordanian King Abdullah II, pictured here, at the White House on Feb. 11, 2025. (Li Rui/Xinhua via Getty Images)
However, Trump also issued a warning that withholding aid to Jordan could happen should Jordan refuse to take in Palestinian refugees. The U.S. distributed nearly $1.7 billion in foreign aid to Jordan in fiscal year 2023, according to the State Department.
"Yeah, maybe, sure why not," Trump said when asked. "If they don’t, I would conceivably withhold aid, yes."
Trump welcomed Netanyahu to the White House on Feb. 4 and disclosed his plans to turn Gaza into the "Riviera of the Middle East."
"We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous, unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site," Trump told reporters.
"Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings, level it out, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area," Trump said. "Do a real job. Do something different. Just can't go back. If you go back, it's going to end up the same way it has for 100 years."
He also said "all" Palestinians would be removed from Gaza under his plan, although White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the next day their removal would be "temporary" during the rebuilding process.
Even so, Trump told Fox News on Monday that Palestinians would not return to Gaza under his plan.
TRUMP SAYS US WILL ‘TAKE OVER’ GAZA STRIP, REBUILD IT TO STABLIZE MIDDLE EAST
Sen. John Thune, S.D., pictured here, did not appear publicly startled by President Donald Trump's proposal for Gaza. (Getty Images)
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill shared mixed reactions to the plan.
"I’m speechless, that’s insane," Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., told Jewish Insider on Feb. 4.
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However, Sen. Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., did not appear fazed by the remarks.
"I think he wants to bring a more peaceful, secure Middle East and put some ideas out there," Thune told reporters on Wednesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Diana Stancy is a politics reporter with Fox News Digital covering the White House.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-meets-jordans-king-amid-tense-talks-about-resettling-palestinians