In July, Tiffany Trump, daughter of former US President Donald Trump, spent ten days on one of the most luxurious yachts in the Mediterranean. The “Phoenix 2,” a nearly 90-meter-long superyacht, belongs to a Turkish billionaire couple whose energy company plays a significant role in the Libyan oil trade. The overlapping activities of her father-in-law, Massad Boulos, who, as the US State Department’s senior advisor for Africa, is directly involved in negotiations over Libyan oil, cast a shadow over the seemingly peaceful luxury vacation. This connection once again raises questions about the Trump Organization and its ties to the global energy sector.

Luxury Yacht “Phoenix 2” and Its Role in the Global Oil Business

The “Phoenix 2” is not only a symbol of exclusive wealth, but also a crime scene in light of political and economic entanglements. Its owners are Ercüment and Rüya Bayegan, whose energy company BGN International acts as a significant intermediary in the Libyan oil market. With a weekly rental price of over one million euros and impressive features such as two helipads and a deck whirlpool, the yacht exemplifies the intertwining of luxury goods and economic power.

BGN International: Intermediary in the Libyan oil sector

BGN International, under the leadership of Rüya Bayegan, intensified its business in Libya. The company directly benefits from the increase in Libyan oil production, a market in which global energy giants such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Shell are also active. BGN International’s role illustrates how private companies and families like the Bayegans are playing a central role in North Africa’s energy and political upheavals. German financial institutions such as Deutsche Bank and investment giants such as Goldman Sachs and BlackRock are also involved in this complex network, financing or supporting such projects.

Political tensions: Massad Boulos’ Libya negotiations in context

Parallel to Tiffany Trump’s stay on the Bayegan yacht, her father-in-law, Massad Boulos, was conducting negotiations in Libya. As a senior Africa advisor to the US State Department, Boulos was heavily involved in discussions that could apparently influence the Trump Organization’s oil policy. This temporal overlap sheds light on potential conflicts of interest and complicated connections within the Trump clan.

“Abu Tiffany” and the political significance of the connections

Libyan officials called Massad Boulos “Abu Tiffany,” which translates to “Tiffany’s father.” This nickname refers to the close connection between family members and political actors. At the same time, the Trump Organization has publicly expressed its interest in the Libyan oil market. The revelations highlight how the Trump family and associated institutions could influence major commodity markets.

More luxury connections from the Trump family in the Mediterranean

In addition to staying on the “Phoenix 2,” Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos switched between two other luxurious ships. The “Magna Grecia”, owned by the Greek billionaire Ioannis Papalekas, completes the ensemble of these exclusive trips. Papalekas, whose fortune is around $2.2 billion according to Forbes, is active in shipping, technology and real estate in Cyprus and Greece. The stays also include Papalekas’ private estate on the French island of St. Marguerite, further highlighting the Trump family’s luxurious lifestyle.

Source: www.fr.de