Özgür Özel alleges Erdoğan negotiated Gaza deal with Donald Trump’s son — AKP denies claim

Lede: CHP leader Özgür Özel sparked controversy at a mass rally in Istanbul’s Bahçelievler district, alleging that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted and negotiated a Gaza-related deal with Donald Trump Jr. at Dolmabahçe. The claim — made during a speech to tens of thousands at the “Protect the People’s Will” rally — was swiftly denied by AKP officials. Özel also repeated allegations that Bayrampaşa mayor Hasan Mutlu was threatened to defect to the AKP, a charge the ruling party rejects.

Özel’s Damascus-style allegation at Bahçelievler rally

Speaking to a large crowd after CHP Istanbul provincial headquarters relocated to the district, Özel said: “I announce this here: not only did he [Erdoğan] not tell Trump a word, but last Saturday at his Dolmabahçe office he hosted Donald Trump Jr. under a different name and haggled with him.” Özel added that the visitor’s roster had listed him as a businessman, not by name.

Özel framed the allegation within a broader criticism of the AKP’s Gaza policies and accused the government of remaining silent while the U.S. pursued plans for the enclave.

“He didn’t say a word to Trump… he hosted Trump Jr. in Dolmabahçe and negotiated,” Özel said. (As quoted at the Bahçelievler rally.)

Threat claims over Bayrampaşa mayor

Özel also repeated claims about Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu, alleging that figures from the Cumhur İttifakı (AKP–MHP) told Mutlu he would face prosecution unless he joined the AKP. Quoting Mutlu, Özel said the mayor had been contacted repeatedly with the message: “If you don’t join the AKP, we will have you arrested.”

AKP Istanbul provincial head Abdullah Özdemir rejected Özel’s remarks on social media as “false” and invited Özel to file a criminal complaint if he has evidence.

Economy, inequality and political framing

Özel linked the political turmoil to wider economic grievances, accusing Erdoğan of favouring the wealthy and citing official poverty thresholds: “Erdoğan doesn’t love the poor, he loves the rich… he wiped out 700 billion lira in taxes for the wealthy.” He pledged social measures from CHP-led municipalities, including free school meals and water dispensers, and called on local school administrators not to fear implementing such programs.

AKP response and verification

AKP officials quickly dismissed the Dolmabahçe allegation as baseless. There is no independent confirmation of Özel’s claim that Donald Trump Jr. visited Dolmabahçe or that any Gaza deal was negotiated there. Reuters/AFP/other outlets should be consulted for verification as the story develops.

Why this matters

If true, Özel’s claim would point to high-level, informal diplomacy with potentially major geopolitical implications. Even as an allegation, it fuels domestic political polarization ahead of ongoing legal and institutional disputes involving opposition parties and municipal administrations. The episode also underlines how foreign-policy matters are being folded into domestic political debate.