Qatari Embassy paid for Tucson mayor's trip, contrary to city's statement

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero’s trip to the Qatar Economic Forum was paid for by the Qatari Embassy in Washington, D.C.

A city spokesman originally said inaccurately that Bloomberg Philanthropies footed the bill.

Romero left last Friday to travel to the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha, the nation’s capital.

After the city’s original statement was challenged by Bloomberg, Romero’s office clarified Wednesday afternoon that the Qatari Embassy paid for her trip.

Tucson taxpayers did not pay for Romero’s travel and lodging, her office and city spokesman Andy Squire have said.

Originally, Squire told the Arizona Daily Star on Tuesday that Romero’s trip was funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Spokespeople from Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg Media denied Wednesday that either entity funded Romero’s trip. Bloomberg was a host of the conference.

Squire said he was incorrect in his original statement.

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Romero did not announce the international trip in advance of her departure last week. Her staff previously said Romero plans to discuss details upon her return.

Originally, Squire and Victor Mercado, a spokesman for the mayor, said that Romero was expected to return to Tucson next week. But shortly after Tuesday’s story was published online, Mercado told the Star that she would be “stateside” Thursday and returning to work next week.

Romero was one of five U.S. mayors to make the trip.

One of the other five was Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.

Lucas’ office announced the trip last week, saying that the Qatari Embassy in Washington, D.C. was sponsoring a “delegation of mayors from American cities.”

Kansas City is one of the 2026 World Cup host cities.

The Qatar Economic Forum began Tuesday and was set to last through Thursday in Doha. It was set to feature more than 120 speakers and over 1,500 delegates from across the world.

On Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted a $400 million jet from Qatar for President Donald Trump to use as Air Force One despite ethical concerns about accepting a foreign gift and other issues.