Turkey’s main opposition leader Özgür Özel alleges that Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, met President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Dolmabahçe working office in İstanbul “last Saturday.” Speaking at a CHP rally in the Bahçelievler district, Özel said the visitor appeared in the presidential log as a businessman and suggested business ties were discussed. He framed the claim against the backdrop of the Gaza conflict, arguing that Erdoğan publicly clashes with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while avoiding direct criticism of President Trump. Turkish and regional outlets highlighted Özel’s remarks after the rally.
Separately, Middle East Eye reported that Trump Jr. “secretly” met Erdoğan in İstanbul, casting the encounter as part of Ankara’s effort to secure a leader-level meeting between Erdoğan and President Trump. The report did not include an official Turkish readout or on-the-record confirmation from the participants.
As of now, there is no statement from the Turkish Presidency confirming a Dolmabahçe meeting, and Donald Trump Jr. has not publicly acknowledged a visit to İstanbul. Coverage of the opposition leader’s allegation and the Middle East Eye story has circulated widely, but neither has been corroborated with documentary evidence from Ankara.
Dolmabahçe, a 19th-century palace complex on the Bosporus that houses Erdoğan’s İstanbul office, often serves as a venue for high-profile or sensitive engagements. If accurate, the reported contact would align with Ankara’s broader push this year to cultivate direct channels with Washington under Trump, following phone calls and public signals about prospective leader-level meetings. However, without an official readout or public confirmation, the allegation remains unverified, and key details—including the purpose and substance of any discussion—cannot be independently confirmed.
