UAE Royals Said to Direct Tom Barrack’s Influence Campaign

Just weeks after Donald Trump’s election in November 2016, American billionaire Tom Barrack received a royal welcome in the United Arab Emirates.

On that December day, Barrack met with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi; the prince’s brother, who also serves as the country’s national security adviser; and a third royal who oversees the country’s Supreme Council for National Security, according to people familiar with the events. His audience with the high-ranking men shows how prized he was as a guest, and Barrack encouraged his hosts to envision what the next four years under Trump could hold for them.

Tom Barrack, center, arrives at criminal court in New York on July 26.