### Trump's Claim of Gaza Visit Faces Scrutiny Amid Doubts and Controversy

Donald Trump's credibility and understanding of Middle Eastern geography are under renewed questioning following his recent assertion of having visited Gaza—a claim without any supporting evidence. The former president made this statement during an interview with rightwing radio host Hugh Hewitt, raising doubts due to the lack of any documented visits to Gaza by Trump.

In the discussion with Hewitt, Trump suggested that Gaza could be transformed into a place more affluent than Monaco if properly rebuilt. "It could be better than Monaco. It has the best location in the Middle East, the best water, the best everything," Trump stated. He emphasized his belief in Gaza’s potential by adding, "I've been there, and it's rough. It's a rough place... before all of the attacks and before the back and forth what's happened over the last couple of years."

Though Trump confidently claimed to have visited the war-torn territory, the New York Times found no records to substantiate his assertion. When questioned, a campaign official ambiguously stated, "Gaza is in Israel. President Trump has been to Israel," despite the fact that Gaza is a separate entity and has never been part of Israel. Notably, Jewish settlers were withdrawn from Gaza in 2005 under a disengagement plan by then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

In response to further inquiries from Axios, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign, reiterated that Trump had previously been to Gaza but did not provide any specifics on the timing of his visit. Trump's visit to Israel in 2017 during his presidency included a trip to Bethlehem in the West Bank but no recorded visit to Gaza.

Adding to the intrigue, Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had previously made controversial comments about Gaza, describing waterfront property there as "very valuable" and suggesting the removal of civilians for redevelopment. Trump's campaign has prominently featured support for Israel, yet the former president has faced accusations of antisemitism, including remarks attributing potential electoral defeat to Jewish voters and hosting individuals known for their anti-Semitic views at his Mar-a-Lago club.

Aside from the Gaza controversy, Trump is also dealing with criticism for spreading misinformation regarding the Biden administration's handling of Hurricane Helene, which has inflicted widespread damage on the southeastern United States.