Trump responded by offering to have Eric call, adding, “He’s such a good boy.” Prabowo clarified he might also want to meet Donald Trump Jr. and stated he would inform “Hary.” Hary Tanoesoedibjo is an Indonesian billionaire and media mogul whose company, MNC Group, is a key partner in two major Trump-branded developments in Indonesia: a 100-hectare luxury resort in Bali and a resort with a championship golf course outside Jakarta. Both Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. hold executive vice president positions at the Trump Organization.
In an interview, Eric Trump stated that the conversation in Egypt concerned his property ventures in Indonesia. He asserted that these businesses were established before his father’s presidential candidacy and are therefore unrelated to politics. However, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, who stated he was unaware of the specific content of the discussion, noted that casual conversations between heads of state are normal. Critics, however, argue the incident highlights a potential conflict of interest, given that both leaders maintain close ties to their respective family corporate empires while holding the highest office in their nations.
The business ties between the two countries’ leaders are not new. Hary Tanoesoedibjo has previously claimed to have access to the Trump administration, noting that most of his contact regarding the joint developments is with the president’s adult children. The Trump Organization continues to draw revenue from these overseas projects, despite prior claims by Eric Trump that the family stepped out of international business when his father took office. The Lido development outside Jakarta, which includes the Trump resort, involves contractors with ties to the South Korean and Saudi governments.
The political and economic connections between the two families have deepened in recent years. In 2024, Hary Tanoesoedibjo’s daughter, Angela Tanoesoedibjo, was appointed Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy in the Indonesian government. This appointment placed a direct family member of the Trump business partner in a government role responsible for tourism, a sector that could directly benefit from the success of the Trump-branded resorts. Her father, Hary, has also been involved in Indonesian politics, establishing his own political party and supporting various candidates in national elections.
Prabowo Subianto also maintains extensive business interests in Indonesia. Through his holding group, Nusantara Energy, his family has interests in oil and gas, coal, palm oil, and agribusiness. His younger brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, oversees much of the day-to-day management of these enterprises. The partnership between the politicians and their business partners has raised questions among observers about the blurring of lines between state affairs and private profit, particularly as both nations’ leaders continue to expand their commercial footprints globally.
One of the Trump-branded projects, located on Bali, is currently the subject of environmental controversy. Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment has officially halted one of the development sites due to environmental concerns. This regulatory action adds a layer of complexity to the diplomatic and business relationship, as the project’s completion is now uncertain. The halted status of the project contrasts with the continued high-level diplomatic engagement between the two presidents regarding other matters, such as regional security and economic cooperation.
The incident in Egypt has not resulted in any immediate official policy changes or sanctions. However, it has provided fresh material for proponents of ethics reform who argue that sitting presidents should divest from foreign business interests to avoid the appearance of impropriety. The Trump Organization’s continued operation in Indonesia, with its leadership involved in high-level diplomatic circles, remains a point of contention for those monitoring conflicts of interest in international relations.
