Stay informed with free updates
Simply sign up to the Work & Careers myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox.
Messages from the archive of Rutherford Hall, critical communications strategist
WhatsApp to Stephen: I’ve got to fly out to Riyadh. The Saudis are furious that Qatar stole a march on them with the $400mn jet for Donald Trump. We need to calm them down. MBS’s chief of staff also wants some suggestions for things they can give the president. I don’t think a Rolex will cut it any more. Meanwhile here’s me; still waiting for my membership of the Riyadh Golf Club.
From: [email protected]
My Dear Prince, congratulations on a superbly executed presidential visit. With hindsight I recognise your concern. Qatar certainly blindsided us all with the presidential plane offer, although if you had mentioned a gift budget of that magnitude I like to think we could have come up with something.
But to be honest I would not worry unduly. You are not some tiny, Hamas-hosting, arriviste state looking to buy influence. You are the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Gifts are culturally important but I think Qatar demeaned itself. And besides which, you gave him a hatload of defence deals.
I’ll be in Riyadh on Thursday so hopefully we can discuss in person.
Very best, Rutherford
Find me on Strava, KoM Sydenham Hill, London to Brighton 3 hrs 04m, Al Jubailah/Bawdah Loop — 42 mins
Help support two world-leading children’s hospitals: gofundme.com/tickettoriyadh
We live in inflationary times and, thanks to Qatar’s jumbo jet, the price of influence has just shot up. Bottom line is it will cost a lot more to buy a president now, but at least we know the price. You aren’t going to get away with the leather-bound complete works of Shakespeare. In any case President Trump won’t be interested, at least until Shakespeare has his own podcast.
We can’t compete with a jumbo and western companies are still bound by anti-corruption legislation — though I sense that’s easing in DC. So look for what you have that might be valued. Can you make all your company cars Teslas? Is there space for any of the Trump children on your boards? And not just Ivanka. Think about Eric too.
For all that, I think Qatar weakened itself with too huge a gift. It made them look too needy and anyway, we prefer our perfidy to be subtle.
From: [email protected]
OK. Message received. I will work up some options. In the meantime how would you feel about us quietly fuelling a media campaign against the Qatari gift. I doubt we can embarrass Trump. But we can discomfort Qatar and discourage others.
At least you can still compete if you want. The Europeans are really going to struggle now. I think Macron gave him a tree once and it’s already dead. Keir Starmer turned up with a tartan cap. This is tragic stuff. Though Starmer at least did come with an invite for a royal experience day. Frankly the only thing Europe has left to offer now is Greenland.
Still, political leaders do need to raise their game if they don’t want to end up on a live TV roast in the Oval Office.
I don’t recommend it but if you want to match Qatar, how about a presidential yacht? There are still a few good bargains reclaimed from Russian oligarchs. Just whack in some gold fittings and replace the H on the helipad with a T.
If we want something big but a bit more subtle, I can’t help noticing that there is no Trump golf course in Saudi. I know everyone is doing golf gifts, but we can do better than gold-plated clubs. How about offering a prime piece of real estate for a Trump international course in the kingdom. Real estate speaks to him and you could also host the Saudi leg of the LIV tournament on it. That would mean depriving the Riyadh Golf Club, which is a shame given how wonderful the Riyadh is meant to be — I’ve not played there myself yet, am still on the waiting list — but it’s for a greater good.
And this can be dressed up as a collaboration so it looks less naked than the Qatar jet. Also could you name a public square after him? He’d love that. The man sprays his name around like a dog at a lamppost.
Rutherford
Find me on . . .
From: [email protected]
Oh that’s extremely kind of you. I wasn’t hinting about the Riyadh but am excited to play my first round there. Best Rutherford
Find me on . . .
WhatsApp to Stephen: Here’s me on the 18th thinking I must get out here more often. Business gifts. There’s definitely a place for them!
WhatsApp to Stephen: The Qataris have been in touch about managing this saga in the western media? Wonder if there’s a conflict of interest there. What are they offering? Do they have any good golf courses?
Messages recovered by Robert Shrimsley