Trump once admitted his businesses in Turkey were a 'conflict of interest' when asked about Syria

The world is still reeling from the news that President Trump has decided to abandon America’s Kurdish allies by withdrawing US troops from Syria, leaving them exposed to an assault from Turkey.

But Trump has his own explanation:

I have a little conflict of interest.

Trump made this comment in a Breitbart News interview in December 2015. This was when his presidential campaign was in full swing, so he was asked how he would handle Turkey and Syria. He responded:

I have a little conflict of interest ’cause I have a major, major building in Istanbul.

It’s a tremendously successful job. It’s called Trump Towers — two towers, instead of one, not the usual one; it’s two. And I’ve gotten to know Turkey very well. They’re amazing people, they’re incredible people. They have a strong leader.

He said then that the situation was “complicated." But he added, in typical Trump style: “I thrive on complicated.” Though he didn’t reveal any plans for the region, beyond boasting about his properties.

Following the news that Trump was planning to withdraw US troops, a 2012 tweet from his daughter Ivanka Trump resurfaced, in which she thanked president Erdogan or Turkey for attending the Trump Towers launch. Erdogan remains the leader of Turkey today.

Trump’s businesses in Turkey are no secret, but his admission that it represents a conflict of interest is astonishing.

Since becoming president, Trump has faced criticism for his close links to his businesses.

The ripple effects of Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops are still being felt across the world. People from across the political spectrum are flabbergasted by the move, which will likely result in the death of US allies.

H/T: Huffington Post

More: Melania Trump spoke out about the dangers of bullying and it backfired... Again