US President Donald Trump has praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting with Middle Eastern leaders, describing him as a "strong man" and warning that he is not someone "to be messed with".
The statement was made during a multilateral meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council, where Trump specifically referred to the Turkish president.
"Including my friend here from Turkey. He's a tough guy. You don't mess with him," Trump said, referring to Erdogan.
Afterwards, the American president made a humorous comment regarding the translation of his statements, once again underlining his appreciation for his Turkish counterpart.
"I hope they translate it properly. I hope we have a good translator, but he's fantastic. He's a fantastic man," Trump said, calling Erdogan his friend.
Trump's comments follow his repeated statements in recent months about the Turkish president. In June, he described Erdogan as "a great leader," "a very strong person," and "a strong man," while also calling him a respected leader and friend.
Trump has used similar language about Erdogan before. In 2025, the US president described him as a “friend,” a “strong man,” and a “good man.”
The latest meeting came at a time when diplomatic efforts for the Middle East and Gulf security have intensified. The talks were attended by leaders from several countries in the region, and after the meeting, Erdogan stated that Turkey and other countries are working to overcome the challenges facing the region.
Trump's statement about Erdogan drew attention for its direct and friendly tone, portraying the Turkish president as a weighty figure in US relations with the region.
