In his recent White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump laid out what appeared to be an audacious plan for Gaza: American control of the territory and the relocation of its Palestinian population.

While many focused on the boldness of this shocking proposal itself, they may be missing the more subtle diplomatic choreography at play.

"I play to people's fantasies," Trump wrote in "The Art of the Deal." "People may not always think big themselves, but they can get very excited by those who do. That is why a little hyperbole never hurts."

This philosophy, central to Trump's negotiating style, offers a crucial lens for understanding his latest attempt at peace in the Middle East.

The conventional interpretation sees Trump attempting to pressure Arab states like Egypt and Jordan into accepting Palestinian refugees. However, this fundamentally misreads both the regional dynamics and Trump's sophisticated negotiating approach.

Like a masterful real estate dealer, Trump is telling his apparent client — in this case, Israel — precisely what they want to hear while quietly advancing a different deal altogether. While Israeli leaders might believe Trump is cutting a deal with them while pressuring Arab states on their behalf, the reality appears to be the other way around.

Trump, perhaps one of the few world leaders who can match Netanyahu's political acumen, has shrewdly recognized and exploited the messianic tendencies of Israel's right wing, getting them to eat out the palm of his hand.

Trump's statements gathered euphoric responses from figures like Itamar Ben Gvir, who posted on X: “Donald, this looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” or Israel Ganz, Chair of the Yesha council, who declared: “The Palestinian dream is over.”

But when he declared at the press conference that Saudi Arabia hadn't........

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