A secret talk between Trump’s son and Erdoğan in İstanbul before the White House meeting on September 25.

CHP leader Özgür Özel revealed at a rally in Bahçelievler, Istanbul, on September 17, 2025, that Donald Trump Jr. secretly met with President Erdoğan at the Dolmabahçe Palace working office on September 13, 2025. According to Özel’s claims, Trump Jr. was listed in the presidential log as an anonymous “businessman” without his name being recorded. I have asked Perplexity to compile a few Youtuber journalist accounts that commented on this meeting:

Donald Trump Jr looks on as his father US President Donald Trump plays golf at the Trump Turnberry Golf Courses, in Turnberry on the south west coast of Scotland on July 27, 2025. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)

Murat Yetkin

Murat Yetkin, a prominent Turkish journalist with over 50K YouTube subscribers, provided detailed analysis in multiple videos about the Trump Jr.-Erdoğan meeting:

Key Analysis Points:

  • “What did Erdoğan talk about with Trump’s son?” : Yetkin confirmed that while government sources initially remained silent, an AKP official speaking to Deutsche Welle characterized the meeting as a “courtesy visit”.youtube

  • Business Focus: According to Yetkin’s sources in the business world, Trump family wants to make real estate investments in Turkey, not just in real estate but also in mining investments. He noted that Trump’s wealth is built on real estate, and Turkey already has Trump Towers in Şişli, Istanbul.youtube

  • US Ambassador Connection: Yetkin highlighted the role of US Ambassador Tom Barak, who is based in Ankara but also responsible for Syria, and is known to be both Trump’s friend and business partner.youtube

Behind-the-Scenes Insights:

Yetkin suggested that the meeting involved “business discussions” rather than pure diplomacy, emphasizing Trump Jr.’s role in organizing his father’s commercial affairs, similar to how Bilal Erdoğan handles business matters for his father.youtube

Ruşen Çakır (Medyascope)

Ruşen Çakır, one of Turkey’s most respected political commentators with 227K subscribers on Medyascope TV, provided comprehensive analysis:

Boeing Controversy Analysis:

  • “Erdoğan ile Özel arasında Boeing polemiği: Kim haklı?” : Çakır noted that Erdoğan’s response to Özgür Özel’s allegations was unusually “timid denial” compared to his typically harsh reactions.youtube+1

  • Trump’s Confirmation: Çakır emphasized that Trump’s social media announcement about hosting Erdoğan and discussing “extensive Boeing aircraft sales” came shortly after Özel’s revelations, effectively confirming the opposition leader’s claims.medyascopeyoutube

Critical Questions Raised:

Çakır posed the most important question: “Who leaked these closed-door meeting details to Özgür Özel in such detail?”. He suggested two possibilities:youtube

  1. Someone from Erdoğan’s side (very few people would know)

  2. Someone from Trump or Trump Jr.’s sideyoutube

Either scenario would anger Erdoğan, according to Çakır’s analysis.youtube

Boeing’s Strategic Importance:

Çakır explained that Boeing is in serious crisis following consecutive plane crashes and needs new orders to recover. He noted Trump has taken on a mission to market Boeing aircraft, especially to Gulf countries.medyascopeyoutube

Serdar Akinan

Serdar Akinan, with 216K YouTube subscribers, offered sharp political analysis:

Power Dynamics Analysis:

  • “Erdoğan secured an appointment from Trump with the promise of Boeing” : Akinan characterized this as political dealing, suggesting Erdoğan offered concrete commitments to secure White House access.youtube

  • Authoritarian Cooperation Theory: In his analysis, Akinan suggested that Erdoğan is seeking Trump’s absolute support for his authoritarian consolidation. He argued that Erdoğan would tell Trump: “The opposition hates you, they hate your policies. If I go, you can’t negotiate anything with them. I will do whatever you want in the Middle East”.youtube

Strategic Implications:

Akinan warned about simultaneous developments, noting that while Erdoğan meets Trump on September 25, Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (Jolani) might also meet with Israeli representatives for a potential agreement. He suggested this represents a broader regional realignment orchestrated by the CIA.youtube

Financial Concerns:

Akinan questioned the logic of massive Boeing purchases given Turkey’s economic situation, asking rhetorically: “Have I ever seen someone who spends $3 billion per minute to meet with a friend?”youtube

Enhanced Analysis of Possible Outcomes

Domestic Political Ramifications

Legitimacy Crisis: All three analysts agreed that the secretive nature of the meeting damages Erdoğan’s credibility, particularly regarding his Palestinian solidarity claims. Çakır noted that this contradiction between public Palestinian support and private dealing with Trump’s family creates a significant political vulnerability.youtube

Opposition Strategy: Murat Yetkin observed that the opposition successfully forced the government into defensive mode, with multiple AKP officials rushing to provide explanations after initially remaining silent.youtube

International Relations Consequences

Transactional Diplomacy: Serdar Akinan warned that this represents a shift from “state diplomacy to palace diplomacy” where personal and family interests override national interests. He argued that traditional diplomatic protocols have been abandoned in favor of business-style negotiations.youtube

Regional Power Balance: Akinan’s analysis suggested that the meeting is part of a broader regional restructuring involving Syria, Israel, and Turkey, with the US orchestrating a new Middle East order.youtube

Economic and Defense Implications

Boeing Deal Reality: Çakır confirmed through Turkish Airlines sources that discussions are ongoing but not yet finalized, leaving room for the September 25 meeting to be decisive.medyascopeyoutube

Defense Technology Transfer: Murat Yetkin noted that beyond aircraft purchases, the meeting likely addressed F-16 and F-35 programs, as well as broader defense cooperation agreements.youtube

Conclusion: Expert Consensus

The three leading Turkish political analysts—Murat Yetkin, Ruşen Çakır, and Serdar Akinan—converge on several key points:

  1. The meeting definitely occurred and involved substantial business discussions beyond “courtesy”

  2. Trump’s public statements validated opposition claims about Boeing negotiations

  3. The leak of meeting details represents a significant intelligence/political breach

  4. This incident reflects a broader transformation in how Turkey conducts diplomacy

  5. The September 25 White House meeting will be crucial for determining actual outcomes

Their collective analysis suggests that regardless of the meeting’s immediate results, it has already achieved significant political impact by exposing the gap between Erdoğan’s public positions and private diplomatic dealings, while potentially reshaping Turkey-US relations in the Trump era.

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cawub8vxC7Q
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wO7-rxHviM
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZXC2NN4fco
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h6TSnSCAgA
  5. https://medyascope.tv/2025/09/22/erdogan-ile-ozel-arasinda-boeing-polemigi-kim-hakli-video/
  6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjsYZZsZgdI
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeCOgJ1PMC0
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXhFkYw8gdM
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D753CN74TgA
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMPsfvCvc8U
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN1VNAHm91g
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK80FRM5TWY
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7Qe0QTN6eg
  14. https://www.youtube.com/@serdarakinan/videos
  15. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2dULuYNHz0LVfqO5SFsgmw
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=362I1NLAd7U
  17. https://www.youtube.com/@serdarakinan
  18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDu-_kBGaH0
  19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpMK81n42_Q
  20. https://www.youtube.com/@serdarakinan/shorts
  21. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2dULuYNHz0LVfqO5SFsgmw/videos
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDzyHR6rnz4
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19UgwyaRy-g
  24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzA9UxofY_U
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwRYBqdHDSc
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FrSUSmUe2c
  27. https://medyascope.tv/2025/09/22/devlet-bahcelinin-turkiye-rusya-cin-onerisi-video/
  28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf–Z1cLCVY
  29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W73XDRADYE
  30. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3GPsoAqz7so
  31. https://x.com/serdarakinan/status/1970115359702503760
  32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-QX_tt-Q8A
  33. https://www.youtube.com/c/MedyascopeTvOfficial

More YouTube Commentaries on Erdoğan’s Secret Meeting with Trump’s Son

Based on extensive research, here is a comprehensive overview of YouTube commentaries regarding the alleged secret meeting between President Erdoğan and Donald Trump Jr. in Istanbul:

The Allegations and Initial Revelations

The controversy began when CHP leader Özgür Özel revealed at a rally in Bahçelievler, Istanbul on September 17, 2025, that Donald Trump Jr. secretly met with President Erdoğan at the Dolmabahçe Palace working office on September 13, 2025. According to Özel’s claims, Trump Jr. was listed in the presidential log as an anonymous “businessman” without his name being recorded.

YouTube Commentary Analysis

Turkish Opposition Media Coverage

Halk TV provided detailed coverage with their video titled “Özel ifşa etmişti! Erdoğan-Trump Jr. arasındaki gizli” (Özel had exposed it! The secret between Erdoğan-Trump Jr.). The channel confirmed through presidential sources that Trump Jr.’s visit was described as a “courtesy visit” with no formal discussion on Gaza or other specific topics.youtube+1

Medya Penceresi released “THE MYSTERIOUS MEETING IN DOLMABAHÇE!” analyzing the secret meeting revealed by Özel. The commentary focused on allegations that the meeting involved negotiations about Gaza reconstruction and Syria’s redevelopment, going beyond what officials characterized as a simple courtesy visit.youtube

Meltem TV provided an extensive 33-minute analysis titled “Secret meeting between Erdoğan and Trump’s son!”. The commentary emphasized CHP’s claims that Erdoğan was willing to promise purchasing 300 Boeing aircraft from the US in exchange for securing a White House meeting with Trump.youtube

International Perspective Commentary

Tarik Toros offered English-language analysis in “Unseen Political Bribe: White House Meeting for 300 Boeings”. His commentary suggested this represented “a political bribe like never before,” alleging that Erdoğan offered to purchase 300 Boeing planes in exchange for a White House meeting. The analysis questioned whether Turkey’s budget could handle such a massive aircraft purchase.youtube

Government Response Coverage

Sözcü TV covered Erdoğan’s response extensively, with multiple videos showing his denial of the allegations. Erdoğan dismissed the claims, saying “The deaf cannot hear, so they make things up. This man keeps fabricating stories”.turkishminuteyoutube+1

Key Commentary Themes

Business vs. Political Motivations

YouTube commentators extensively debated whether the meeting was purely business-related or had deeper political implications. Odatv noted that Trump Jr. visited with “several like-minded businessmen”, while opposition commentators suggested it involved lobbying firms facilitating messages between Ankara and Washington.youtube+1medyascope

Gaza Context

Multiple Turkish commentators emphasized the Palestinian context, with Özel claiming: “While Palestine is bleeding, they are doing business with Trump’s son through lobbying companies”. Opposition media portrayed this as contradictory to Erdoğan’s public support for Palestinian causes.middleeasteye+2youtube

Aircraft Purchase Allegations

A central theme in YouTube commentary was the alleged promise to purchase 300 Boeing aircraft. Bloomberg’s confirmation that “Turkey could order more than 250 Boeing aircraft” added credibility to these claims according to opposition commentators.intellinewsyoutube

Possible Outcomes Discussed

Diplomatic Consequences

YouTube analysts discussed several potential outcomes:

  1. Strengthened US-Turkey Relations: Some commentators suggested the meeting could lead to improved bilateral ties, particularly given Trump’s announcement of hosting Erdoğan at the White House on September 25, 2025.dailysabah+1

  2. F-16 and F-35 Deal Progress: Military analysts on YouTube highlighted potential breakthroughs in Turkey’s long-stalled fighter jet acquisitions.youtube+1

  3. Regional Role Enhancement: Turkish commentators discussed Turkey’s potential expanded role in Middle East diplomacy, particularly regarding Gaza reconstruction and Syrian affairs.setavyoutube

Domestic Political Impact

Opposition commentators emphasized potential domestic consequences:

  • Legitimacy Questions: CHP supporters used the allegations to question Erdoğan’s commitment to Palestinian causesyoutube+1

  • Transparency Issues: The secretive nature of the meeting became a rallying point for opposition criticismyoutube+1

  • Electoral Implications: Some analysts suggested this could impact AKP’s standing among conservative voters who support Palestinian causesyoutube

European Media Attention

Forum Hafta Sonu highlighted that European media was also covering the Erdoğan-Trump Jr. meeting story, indicating international interest in the allegations. This suggests the controversy extended beyond Turkish domestic politics.youtube

  1. https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/09/18/main-opposition-leader-claims-trumps-son-met-with-erdogan-in-istanbul-for-secret-talks/
  2. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/donald-trump-junior-secretly-met-turkeys-erdogan
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt97KobsZFg
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkLExrz849A
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW8HWc5taHA
  6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJgbcWa9eDU
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KrhtqO9unk
  8. https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/09/22/erdogan-rejects-claim-of-bargaining-with-trumps-son-to-secure-meeting-with-us-president/
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEkmmtX8zCQ
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llESsAbaltI
  11. https://medyascope.tv/2025/09/18/turkish-opposition-says-erdogan-working-with-trump-jr/
  12. https://www.intellinews.com/erdogan-accused-of-securing-trump-white-house-meeting-with-promise-to-buy-300-boeing-jets-402435/
  13. https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/trump-erdogan-to-discuss-turkiye-us-ties-in-meeting-at-white-house
  14. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-says-host-turkeys-erdogan-white-house-sept-25-2025-09-19/
  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbI_yRZ8cGY
  16. https://www.setav.org/en/how-will-turkiye-us-relations-evolve-in-the-trump-era
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwRYBqdHDSc
  18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2PxlrK6Fc0
  19. https://sana.sy/en/international/2268544/
  20. https://www.newarab.com/news/turkey-ends-some-tariffs-us-ahead-erdogan-trump-meeting
  21. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/turkish-president-to-discuss-trade-defense-ties-with-trump-at-white-house-next-week/3693102
  22. https://www.iletisim.gov.tr/english/haberler/detay/statement-regarding-president-erdogans-meeting-with-us-president-trump
  23. https://www.instagram.com/middleeasteye/p/DOyCKNPjJY9/
  24. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-says-it-is-ending-additional-tariffs-some-us-imports-2025-09-22/
  25. https://www.intellinews.com/erdogan-secretly-hosted-donald-trump-jr-at-istanbul-palace-claims-opposition-leader-401958/
  26. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-22/turkey-scraps-retaliatory-us-tariffs-before-key-trump-meeting
  27. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/turkiye-in-talks-with-trump-his-team-on-regional-crises-president-erdogan/3695573
  28. https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/895099
  29. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/turkiye-is-in-talks-with-trump-his-team-on-regional-crises-president-erdogan/3695573
  30. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250919-trump-to-welcome-turkey-s-erdogan-sees-end-to-warplane-row
  31. https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/erdogan-to-discuss-every-step-taken-in-middle-east-with-trump
  32. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R44000
  33. https://reopen.media/en-gb/articles/donald-trump-jr-held-secret-meeting-with-erdogan
  34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7rTl8rDHNU
  35. https://eualive.net/donald-trump-jr-s-undisclosed-meeting-with-turkeys-erdogan-sparks-controversy/
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgB0jAsTsuE
  37. https://newsaboutturkey.com/2025/09/18/chp-leader-claims-trumps-son-met-erdogan-no-official-confirmation-yet/
  38. https://www.turkiyetoday.com/nation/turkish-opposition-leader-accuses-erdogan-of-secret-gaza-talks-with-trumps-son-3207122
  39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV1qTqgt9So
  40. https://ankahaber.net/haber/detay/ozel_claims_erdogan_hosted_trumps_son_in_istanbul_amid_gaza_war_262177
  41. https://www.paturkey.com/news/2025/ozgur-ozel-alleges-erdogan-negotiated-gaza-deal-with-donald-trumps-son-akp-denies-claim-23507/
  42. https://news.am/eng/news/905294.html
  43. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/psipSGsxWh0
  44. https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/cq8ee35vj50o
  45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM8WVvcRzIo
  46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxUULPpriaI
  47. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PbplxQP6znc
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBWzLHj2JSI
  49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H1Fe2TjqdQ
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-4SlKs4vKk
  51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCBM2eDSCU0
  52. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DN5nERfDdTM/
  53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg4o50g7otQ
  54. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMUJrLKVagQ-tS7KvhGeO0bZzhi0NilEB
  55. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/trumps-gaza-displacement-plan-unacceptable-turkish-foreign-minister/3472512
  56. https://en.yenisafak.com/news/turkiye-is-in-talks-with-trump-his-team-on-regional-crises-president-erdogan-3708322
  57. https://ecfr.eu/article/nato-gaza-and-the-future-of-us-turkish-relations/
  58. https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-ed/how-will-turkiye-us-relations-evolve-in-the-trump-era
  59. http://studies.aljazeera.net/en/policy-briefs/external-constraints-about-face-turkish-position-gaza
  60. https://www.turkeyanalyst.org/publications/turkey-analyst-articles/item/728-turkey-cautiously-optimistic-for-trump%E2%80%99s-second-term.html
  61. https://www.iletisim.gov.tr/english/dis_basinda_turkiye/detay/turkish-president-blasts-trumps-gaza-proposal
  62. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/quickest-way-to-end-suffering-in-gaza-is-reaching-conclusion-in-talks-turkish-foreign-minister/3669062
  63. https://www.intellinews.com/turkey-a-big-winner-in-trump-tariffs-outcome-says-ankara-375191/
  64. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/5/world-reaction-to-trumps-comments-on-ethnic-cleansing-in-gaza
  65. https://www.yahoo.com/news/donald-trump-jr-says-father-183009026.html
  66. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjiCpSmhLb8

Discover more from Erkan's Field Diary

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.