Fox News host Steve Doocy voiced skepticism over President Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. should take control of Gaza, a region in the Middle East that has been the center of ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas for more than a year. During a discussion on “Fox & Friends,” Doocy raised doubts about the feasibility of the plan, while also suggesting it could be part of a larger negotiation strategy.
“I think this is just the tip. You know, this is the conversation starter because, obviously, the president knows when he says ‘we’ll take Gaza,’ he knows the United States can’t invade another country,” Doocy said in a clip highlighted by Mediaite. He went on to explain that Trump, in his first term, had consistently expressed a desire to reduce U.S. military involvement in the Middle East. “The last thing he wants to do is put boots on the ground in Gaza,” Doocy added.
The comments from President Trump came during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump proposed transforming Gaza into an “unbelievable” international destination, even referring to it as the “Riviera of the Middle East.” He suggested the U.S. could take control of the Gaza Strip, dismantle dangerous explosives, level the area, and clear the ruins. This idea quickly sparked backlash from both the international community and Democratic lawmakers.
Trump’s remarks have been seen as controversial, particularly for their suggestion of the U.S. managing Gaza and displacing the Palestinians living there. However, Doocy seemed to interpret the statement as a strategic move rather than a concrete policy proposal. He speculated that Trump’s comments might have been an “opening salvo” in a broader negotiation process.
“I’m going to give Trump the benefit of the doubt,” Doocy said. “I think what he did by saying, ‘Look, if we take over and we redevelop it,’ I think that’s the first step in a negotiation.” Doocy suggested that Trump was attempting to start a conversation and open the door for potential solutions, even if the initial proposal was outlandish.
Lawrence Jones, another Fox & Friends host, also weighed in, stating that while the plan may not be the answer, it initiated a necessary discussion. “Agree or disagree with the idea that he presented, he was talking about a new day for the Palestinian people,” Jones said. He argued that Palestinians, particularly children, had been raised in an environment of hate and needed hope for a better future.
