At the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, President Trump made an off-color reference to Mohamed Al-Fayed while mocking Arabic names as he discussed a potential strike on an alleged Iranian site. Al-Fayed, the late former owner of Harrods, had no known ties to Iran, and the reason for the mention remains unclear. The comment drew laughter and was part of a broader, campaign-style speech in which Trump attacked several Democratic candidates amid rising public opposition to the war with Iran.
Trump Name-Checks Mohamed Al-Fayed in Crude Iran Joke at Republican Midterm Convention
Donald Trump attacked Iran and made a bizarre reference to Mohamed Al-Fayed during his remarks on Wednesday (Reuters)
During his keynote address at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, President Donald Trump made an off-color reference to Mohamed Al-Fayed while discussing the administration's campaign against Iran, prompting laughter from the crowd and renewed questions about his rhetoric.
Speaking on the first night of the two-day gathering, Trump described a hypothetical strike on an alleged Iranian nuclear site called Pickaxe Mountain and suggested U.S. surveillance capabilities could pick out identifying details. He told the crowd, 'We can see everything. We can see the tag on their coat. "Mohamed Al-Fayed."'
The remark was followed by a string of altered pronunciations in which Trump mocked Arabic names. At one point he added, 'Myhamed -- it's never Myhamed, it's never Mohamed Jones. Myhamad Azuri.' The audience responded with laughter.
Who Is Mohamed Al-Fayed?
Mohamed Al-Fayed was an Egyptian businessman and the former owner of Harrods in London. He died in 2023. Al-Fayed had no known ties to Iran, and it remains unclear whom Trump intended to reference or why he invoked Al-Fayed's name in this context. In his later years, Al-Fayed faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct and workplace abuse.
Mohamed Al Fayed (PA Archive)
Context Of The Speech
The quip was one of several striking moments in a campaign-style address in which Trump attacked Democratic candidates and sought to rally support for vulnerable Republican House and Senate contenders. Among the Democrats he singled out were Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Angie Nixon in Florida, and James Talarico, a Democrat active in competitive Texas races.
Observers noted the comment also fed into Trump’s long public interest in the British royal family. In his 1997 book The Art of the Comeback, Trump wrote of regretting he never courted Lady Diana Spencer, and archival footage shows Trump describing prior social contact with Mohamed Al-Fayed.
'We were with a man yesterday, Mohamed Al-Fayed -- who owns Harrods -- and he is a fabulous man,' Trump said in a 1988 BBC interview clip resurfaced by news outlets.
Political Fallout
Trump's handling of the war with Iran is viewed by many strategists as a potential liability for Republicans in competitive midterm races. Public opinion appears to weigh against continued conflict: a mid-August poll found nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults opposed the war while fewer than one in three supported it. This week the president again vowed the war would end soon, even as he warned it may continue through the midterm elections.
The episode underscores how remarks meant as offhand humor can reverberate in a charged political environment, drawing scrutiny from opponents and commentators while energizing supporters.
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