A viral claim on social media alleges that current U.S. President Donald Trump “owned slaves” in Dubai, citing a documentary reportedly produced by Vice and HBO. The claim, which has gained traction with over 1,000 retweets from the user @MrsButters on X, references the 2016 documentary episode titled “Trump in Dubai & China in Africa” by journalist Ben Anderson.
What’s in the Documentary?
The documentary investigates the harsh working conditions faced by migrant laborers involved in construction projects linked to Trump’s brand in Dubai. It highlights issues that are commonly criticized as exploitative and unfair, including excessive hours, passport denials, low compensation, and debt-trapped laborers.
Journalist Ben Anderson does not claim that President Trump personally held slaves or participated in slavery; rather, he highlights systemic labor violations that are common in some parts of the Gulf region.
The Viral Claim: What Is Being Said?
The social media post claims that Trump “owned slaves” and encourages viewers to watch the documentary on YouTube to learn more. The image also stirs up more internet controversy by connecting Trump’s divisive comments about foreign workers to purported documentation proof of slavery ownership.
However, the claim equates exploitative labor conditions with outright slavery and personal ownership, which is legally and factually inaccurate.
In case you missed it, Trump owned slaves.
In Dubai.
You can watch the documentary on YT.
It’s called Trump in Dubai & China in Africa. pic.twitter.com/eqbruA5gyc
— Mrs. Butters 🥧 (@MrsButters) August 8, 2025
Separating Fact from Fiction
Absence of Proof of Personal Ownership: The documentary details systematic abuses of migrant workers’ labor rights, but it refrains from using the term “slavery” in the legal sense or providing proof that President Trump personally owned slaves.
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Labor Exploitation vs. Slavery
Forced labor and exploitative working conditions are serious human rights issues documented globally, especially in certain Gulf countries. However, President Trump has not been consistently linked to modern slavery, which the law defines as the actual ownership and control of individuals.
The labor violations mentioned are a part of broader systemic problems with local employer practices and migrant labor regulations, not specifically related to or planned by President Trump.
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Why the Claim Spreads
The dramatic wording of “Trump owning slaves” attracts attention and shares easily on social media. Additionally, it contributes to the ongoing political and social discussions surrounding Trump’s labor and immigration policies and remarks.
However, it runs the risk of confusing the public and taking attention away from actual injustices impacting migrant workers if complicated labor rights issues are misrepresented as blatant slavery ownership.
The viral social media claim that President Donald Trump “owned slaves” in Dubai is false.The cited documentary exposes abusive labor practices connected to Trump-branded construction projects, but it offers no proof that Trump himself owned slaves.
Viewers interested in understanding the conditions faced by migrant workers in the Gulf should consider the documentary’s nuanced examination of labor rights, but avoid equating that with unfounded allegations of slavery against President Trump himself.
