- 5 months ago
Donald Trump Reacts to Putin’s $10 Billion Mega Presidential Yacht
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00:00Putin's mega-yacht isn't just extravagant, it's outrageous.
00:03Think retractable dance floors, cryotherapy chambers, drone-crashing tech, and suites fit for royalty.
00:09Next to it, Trump's famous vessel looks like a toy in a bathtub.
00:12Let me break it down.
00:13The floating palace that puts billionaires to shame.
00:15When we talk about the ultimate symbols of wealth and power on the high seas,
00:19most people's minds immediately drift to the gleaming superyachts of tech billionaires or oil magnates.
00:24But what if I told you that floating somewhere in the world's oceans is a vessel so extraordinarily opulent,
00:29so mind-bogglingly expensive that it makes even the most luxurious American presidential assets look like weekend fishing boats?
00:36Welcome to the shadowy world of the Scheherazade, a 141.96-metre luxury motor yacht
00:42that has captured international attention not just for its astronomical price tag,
00:46but for its alleged connections to one of the world's most powerful leaders.
00:49This isn't just any superyacht.
00:51This is a floating testament to wealth that most of us can barely comprehend,
00:55a maritime palace that reportedly cost more than the GDP of entire nations.
01:00The story of Scheherazade begins in the prestigious shipyards of Germany,
01:03where the renowned Lursen Yachts, founded in 1875,
01:07undertook what would become one of their most ambitious and controversial projects.
01:11Initially known as Project Lightning,
01:13the yacht's construction began with the keel laid on December 7, 2015,
01:17at Lursen's Vegersack shipyard.
01:19What emerged from those German docks four and a half years later would redefine our understanding of maritime luxury.
01:26But here's where the story takes its first fascinating turn.
01:29This isn't just about another rich person's toy.
01:31The Scheherazade represents something far more intriguing and politically charged.
01:35Named after the legendary storyteller from 1001 Nights,
01:39this vessel has become the center of a geopolitical storm that involves sanctions,
01:43international investigations,
01:45and allegations that reach the very highest levels of Russian government.
01:48Let's put the sheer scale of this maritime marvel into perspective.
01:52At 465 feet and 11 inches in length,
01:55the Scheherazade ranks among the top 15 longest motor yachts globally.
01:59To understand just how massive this is,
02:01imagine a vessel that's longer than a football field,
02:04wider than a six-lane highway,
02:06and taller than a 10-story building.
02:07This isn't just a yacht.
02:09It's a floating city designed for the ultimate expression of wealth and power.
02:13The numbers surrounding this vessel are staggering
02:15in ways that challenge our ability to comprehend such wealth.
02:18With an estimated value of $700 million and annual running costs of $50, $75 million,
02:24the Scheherazade represents an investment that dwarfs the budgets of small countries.
02:28To put this in perspective,
02:29the annual operating costs alone could fund the entire educational system of a developing nation,
02:34or provide clean water to millions of people around the world.
02:37But what truly sets the Scheherazade apart isn't just its size or cost.
02:42It's the extraordinary level of luxury and technological sophistication
02:45packed into every square inch of this floating palace.
02:49The vessel boasts amenities that would make five-star resorts jealous,
02:52starting with two helicopter landing pads with D values of 18 meters and 15 meter on the foredeck and upper deck,
02:58allowing for simultaneous arrivals and departures.
03:01Imagine the convenience of having your own private air traffic control system on the water.
03:06The accommodation capabilities of this vessel read like the guest list of an exclusive international summit.
03:12The yacht can house up to 18 guests in nine suites,
03:15including a master suite with his and hers bathrooms, walk-in closets, a study and a dressing room.
03:20But the luxury doesn't stop at the guest quarters.
03:22Up to 40 crew members can be accommodated in 20 cabins,
03:26ensuring that every possible need of the passengers is met with the highest level of service imaginable.
03:30But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the Scheherazade story
03:34lies not in its technical specifications or luxurious amenities,
03:37but in the mystery surrounding its ownership.
03:39The yacht is registered under the Cayman Islands flag,
03:42with the owner listed as BELOR Assets Limited, a Marshall Islands registered entity.
03:47This complex web of offshore registrations and shell companies
03:50is typical of how ultra-high net worth individuals,
03:53particularly those in politically sensitive positions,
03:56structure their assets to maintain privacy and avoid scrutiny.
03:59The design philosophy behind the Scheherazade reflects a deep understanding
04:03of what the world's most powerful individuals require from their private spaces.
04:07The exterior design is attributed to Espen Oino of Espen Oino International,
04:11known for projects like Flying Fox and Crescent,
04:14featuring a four-deck aluminum superstructure with elegant tapering roofs.
04:18Meanwhile, the interior design was crafted by
04:20Francois Zuretti of Zuretti Interior Design,
04:23known for bespoke interiors in yachts like Symphony and Catherine.
04:26What makes this vessel particularly fascinating from a geopolitical perspective
04:30is how it has become a symbol in the larger conversation about wealth inequality and political power.
04:36The yacht underwent a refit in 2024, enhancing its amenities and systems,
04:40demonstrating that even during times of international tension and sanctions,
04:44the maintenance and improvement of such assets continues unabated.
04:47The construction timeline of the Scheherazade tells its own story of ambition and determination.
04:52Launched on July 5, 2019, the yacht underwent sea trials in August 2019
04:57to test its performance and systems, before being delivered to its owner on June 1, 2020.
05:02The fact that this massive project was completed during a period of increasing international tensions
05:07speaks to the priorities and resources of those involved.
05:10This is a tale that intersects with international politics,
05:13sanctions regimes and the shadowy world of offshore finance.
05:17In March 2022, Italian authorities began investigating Scheherazade due to potential links
05:22to Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the Russo-Ukrainian war,
05:26transforming this luxury vessel from a private indulgence into a symbol of international conflict.
05:31The story becomes even more compelling when we consider the yacht's operational history.
05:35Post-delivery, the yacht sailed to Sochi, Russia in summer 2020,
05:39then to Hurghada, Egypt in September 2020, and returned to Sochi in July 2021.
05:44These movements, tracked by maritime enthusiasts and investigators alike,
05:48paint a picture of a vessel that operates in the highest echelons of international power and influence.
05:53But the real magic happens when you venture into the yacht's entertainment and wellness facilities.
05:58The Scheherazade features a comprehensive spa with a hammam, sauna, cryotherapy chamber,
06:03hydro-massage room and beauty salon, essentially a world-class wellness resort floating on the open ocean.
06:08The yacht also includes a full cinema room, because even Russian presidents need their entertainment,
06:13and an indoor swimming pool with a retractable floor that converts into a dance floor,
06:17a feature so innovative and luxurious it seems almost science-fictional.
06:21Perhaps one of the most telling aspects of Scheherazade's design is its focus on privacy and security.
06:26The yacht is equipped with a drone-crashing system capable of neutralizing unauthorized drones,
06:31ensuring that its high-profile guests can enjoy their luxury without unwanted surveillance.
06:35This isn't just a yacht, it's a floating fortress designed for someone who values absolute privacy above all else.
06:41The technical specifications of the Scheherazade are read like a masterclass in naval engineering.
06:46The yacht features twin diesel engines, each producing 8,837 horsepower,
06:52giving it a combined power output of 17,674 horsepower.
06:57This enormous power plant allows the yacht to achieve a top speed of 20 knots,
07:01while maintaining a comfortable cruising speed of 15 knots.
07:04The vessel's gross tonnage of 10,167 GT places it in the top 5% by volume among motor yachts over 100 meters,
07:13while its construction features a displacement steel hull for stability and durability,
07:17combined with an aluminum superstructure to reduce weight while maintaining strength.
07:22But here's where the story takes a dramatic turn, one that reads like a geopolitical thriller.
07:26The Scheherazade's ownership is shrouded in mystery,
07:29initially thought to be owned by a Middle Eastern billionaire,
07:32but recent reports suggest Edouard Kudainatov, former president of Rosneft, as the beneficial owner.
07:37However, speculation linking it to Vladimir Putin has fueled international investigations and sanctions.
07:43In March 2022, Italian authorities began investigating Scheherazade due to potential links to Russian president Vladimir Putin amid the Russo-Ukrainian war.
07:52The investigation culminated in May 2022, when the yacht was seized by Italian authorities due to
07:58significant economic and business links between its beneficial owner and prominent elements of the Russian government.
08:04This seizure wasn't just a legal action, it was a statement that sent shockwaves through the world of ultra-luxury yachting.
08:09Here was a vessel worth more than most people could imagine.
08:12Suddenly caught in the crosshairs of international sanctions and geopolitical tensions,
08:16the yacht that once represented the ultimate in maritime luxury had become a symbol of the complex web of wealth, power and politics that defines the modern world.
08:25The Scheherazade's journey from delivery to detention tells a story of luxury, mystery and international intrigue.
08:31After its delivery, the yacht sailed to Sochi, Russia in summer 2020, then to Hurghada, Egypt in September 2020,
08:37before returning to Sochi in July 2021.
08:39Since September 2021, it has been docked at Marina di Carrara in Tuscany, Italy for refitting,
08:45where it remains detained as authorities continue their investigations,
08:49the fleet that floats like a navy and Putin's maritime empire.
08:52Now that we've explored the crown jewel of this alleged maritime empire,
08:56it's time to dive into the full scope of what intelligence sources and investigative journalists describe as Putin's floating kingdom.
09:03Because Scheherazade, as magnificent as it is, represents just the tip of an iceberg that extends far deeper into the murky waters of hidden wealth and maritime luxury than most people could ever imagine.
09:14The scale of this alleged fleet is breathtaking in its scope and staggering in its collective value.
09:19We're not talking about a single yacht here and there, we're discussing what amounts to a private navy of luxury vessels,
09:25each worth more than most people will earn in multiple lifetimes.
09:28The estimated collective value of Putin's yacht fleet exceeds $1 billion,
09:32making it one of the most valuable private maritime collections in history.
09:36Let's start with the Kassatka, formerly known as Graceful,
09:39a vessel whose very name change tells a story of geopolitical maneuvering and sanctions evasion.
09:44This 82-meter luxury motor yacht is valued at approximately $100, $120 million, making it a significant asset in its own right.
09:52The yacht's construction story reads like a maritime adventure novel,
09:55beginning at the Sevmash shipyard in Russia and completing at Blom plus Vos in Germany.
10:00The Kassatka's journey to completion was fraught with drama that would make Hollywood screenwriters envious.
10:05During its transfer from Russia to Germany in October 2010,
10:09the yacht's 71-meter hull broke free from its tug during a severe storm and ran aground near Vesteralen, northern Norway.
10:16This wasn't just a minor setback. It was a maritime disaster that required extensive repairs and modifications,
10:22ultimately extending the yacht to its current length and significantly increasing its construction costs.
10:27What makes the Kassatka truly extraordinary is its innovative design features.
10:32The yacht boasts a 15-meter indoor swimming pool with a retractable floor that can transform into a dance floor,
10:37a feature so unique and technologically advanced that it sets new standards for superyacht entertainment.
10:42The vessel also includes helipads for an EC-135 helicopter,
10:47ensuring that its owner can arrive and depart in style regardless of the yacht's location.
10:52The interior design, crafted by H2 Yacht Design, features rare white sycamore veneers,
10:57mother-of-pearl inlays and a level of craftsmanship that rivals the world's most exclusive hotels.
11:02The yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests in six suites, with a crew of up to 25,
11:07ensuring an extremely high staff-to-guest ratio for personalized service.
11:10But the Kassatka story took a dramatic turn in 2022.
11:15Originally named Graceful, the yacht was renamed Kassatka in 2022,
11:19reportedly in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of Western sanctions.
11:24The timing wasn't coincidental.
11:26The yacht made an abrupt departure from Hamburg in early 2022,
11:29sailing to Kaliningrad, Russia, under the escort of an armed Russian Coast Guard vessel.
11:33The yacht underwent a significant $31.8 million refit during 2021-2023, despite being under sanctions.
11:41This refit included luxury upgrades that boggled the mind.
11:44$32,000 on French wine, $39,000 for three armored umbrellas, and a $120 hairbrush in the master suite.
11:52These aren't just purchases.
11:54They're statements about a level of wealth that operates beyond normal economic constraints.
11:58Moving deeper into this maritime empire, we encounter the Victoria,
12:02a 71-meter superyacht valued at approximately $50.1 million.
12:07This vessel tells an even more intriguing story of construction delays and political connections.
12:12The Victoria was laid down in 2005 at Russia's Sevmash Naval Dockyard,
12:16the same military shipyard primarily known for building nuclear submarines.
12:21The construction of the Victoria faced significant delays that speak to the complex world of ultra-luxury yacht building.
12:26The hull was completed by 2013, but further work was stalled until the project was moved to AES Yachts in Turkey in 2015.
12:34The yacht was finally completed on July 24, 2019, after an extraordinary 14 years of construction,
12:40a timeline that suggests either incredible attention to detail or the kind of complications that arise
12:46when building vessels for the world's most secretive clients.
12:49The Victoria's design features are as impressive as its construction story is complex.
12:53The yacht includes two master suites, a design element also present in Putin's other yachts,
12:58suggesting a pattern in the requirements of its ultimate user.
13:01The interior amenities read like a luxury lifestyle magazine,
13:05a large circular bed with a mirrored ceiling,
13:07minimalist bedrooms with mahogany furnishings,
13:09entertainment spaces with skylights,
13:11and luxury items including beach towels costing $2,400
13:15and a chess set valued at $1,600.
13:19But perhaps the most revealing aspect of the Victoria is its operational patterns.
13:23The yacht has been primarily stationed in Sochi, Russia,
13:26and frequently visits Cape Idokopas near Putin's secretive palace in Gelenzyk.
13:31The vessel has been observed turning off its automatic identification system, AIS, near the Cape,
13:36a move typically employed to avoid tracking behavior consistent with someone who values absolute privacy.
13:41The crew connections across these yachts reveal a network that suggests coordinated management.
13:47Sailor Alexei Makarov previously worked on the Shellist,
13:49and stewardess Inna Yermak is the sister of Alexander Yermak,
13:53a Federal Protective Service FSO Academy graduate who serves on both the Scheherazade and Graceful.
13:58These aren't random employment patterns,
14:00they suggest a carefully managed fleet with interconnected personnel.
14:03The Cheika, meaning seagull in Russian,
14:06represents another fascinating chapter in this maritime story.
14:09This 53.9-metre luxury motor yacht was purchased second-hand by the Russian presidential administration in 2011,
14:16and officially serves as the official president's yacht for formal events and diplomatic meetings.
14:21Unlike the other vessels we've discussed, the Cheika's ownership is transparent.
14:24It belongs to the Russian government.
14:26However, its use patterns and the events it hosts tell a story of its own.
14:30In 2021, President Putin hosted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko aboard for informal talks,
14:36highlighting its role in high-profile diplomatic engagements.
14:39The Cheika was built in 2009 by Turquoise Yachts in Turkey,
14:43and features accommodations for up to 12 guests in six cabins and 11, 12 crew members.
14:48The yacht's amenities include a 100-square-metre salon,
14:51a large spa pool with a glass waterfall wall,
14:53and a six-person jacuzzi on the sun deck.
14:56While valued at approximately $15 million,
14:58the Cheika represents the more modest end of this floating empire,
15:01though modest is entirely relative when discussing presidential yachts.
15:05The Olympia, a 57-metre superyacht, adds another layer to this maritime narrative.
15:10Built by the renowned Dutch shipyard feedship and delivered in 2002,
15:14this yacht is reportedly gifted to Putin by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich
15:18as a $35 million bribe or token of loyalty.
15:22The ownership structure is telling.
15:24While officially transferred to an offshore firm in Cyprus,
15:26corporate filings list the true owner as the Russian government, not Putin personally.
15:31The Olympia's specifications read like a luxury resort brochure,
15:34accommodations for up to 10 guests with 16 crew members,
15:37a presidential suite occupying a separate deck,
15:40featuring a pink marble bathtub and high-end appliances.
15:42The yacht includes an on-deck jacuzzi with bar,
15:45and an ultra-modern Lin audio video system valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars.
15:49What makes the fleet's story even more compelling is its operational security and maintenance patterns.
15:54Despite international sanctions and seizures affecting other Russian oligarch assets,
15:59most of these yachts continue to operate,
16:01suggesting a level of protection and funding that transcends typical ownership structures.
16:05The fact that refit work continues on detained vessels,
16:09funded by undisclosed parties,
16:11indicates ongoing investment in maintaining these assets,
16:14regardless of their legal status.
16:15The collective annual operating costs of this fleet are staggering.
16:19Conservative estimates suggest that maintaining this maritime empire
16:22costs upwards of $100 million annually,
16:25covering everything from fuel and crew salaries to security, maintenance,
16:29and the constant technological upgrades required to keep such sophisticated vessels operational.
16:34This figure doesn't include the costs of the discrete security operations,
16:38the satellite communication systems that keep these yachts connected to power centers worldwide,
16:42or the diplomatic protection that allows them to dock in international ports.
16:46The technological sophistication of these vessels extends far beyond luxury amenities.
16:51Each yacht in this fleet represents a floating command center,
16:54equipped with satellite communication systems that rival those of small nations,
16:58security features that include everything from drone defense systems
17:02to what sources suggest might be missile defense capabilities,
17:05and navigation systems that allow for operations in international waters,
17:09far from the prying eyes of regulatory authorities.
17:12Perhaps most telling of all is the pattern of ownership obscurity
17:15that runs through every vessel in this fleet.
17:17While some yachts are officially owned by the Russian government,
17:20others are held through complex networks of shell companies,
17:23offshore entities, and loyal associates.
17:25This structure isn't accidental.
17:27It's a carefully designed system that allows for the enjoyment of these assets,
17:31while maintaining plausible deniability about their true ownership and control.
17:35When presidential yachts collide, Putin's empire versus Trump's floating.
17:39History.
17:40Now comes the moment of truth,
17:42the ultimate comparison that will put into stark perspective
17:45just how dramatically different these two presidential approaches to maritime luxury truly are.
17:50When we place Vladimir Putin's alleged billion-dollar yacht empire
17:53alongside Donald Trump's yacht history,
17:55we're not just comparing vessels,
17:57we're examining two completely different philosophies of wealth, power,
18:00and the very nature of presidential luxury itself.
18:03Let's start with the harsh reality that immediately sets the stage for this comparison.
18:07As of 2025, Donald Trump doesn't own a yacht.
18:11This fact alone should tell you everything you need to know
18:13about the scale difference we're discussing.
18:15But the story of Trump's brief foray into the super yacht world
18:18provides a fascinating contrast to Putin's alleged maritime empire
18:22that spans decades and continents.
18:24Trump's yacht story centers around the Trump Princess,
18:27a vessel with a Hollywood pedigree that reads like a script from the Golden Age of Excess.
18:31Originally named Nabila, this 85.9-meter, 282-foot super yacht
18:36was built in 1980 by Benetti for Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi
18:40at a cost of approximately $85 to $100 million.
18:43The yacht even appeared as the flying saucer in the 1983 James Bond film
18:48Never Say Never Again, cementing its place in pop culture history.
18:51When Trump purchased the Nabila in 1988,
18:54renaming it the Trump Princess,
18:55he paid $28 million after negotiating a $1 million discount
19:00by agreeing to the name change.
19:01To put this in perspective, that's roughly $70 million in today's dollars,
19:05a significant sum, but one that pales in comparison
19:08to even the smallest yacht in Putin's alleged fleet.
19:11Trump then invested an additional $8.5 to $10 million
19:14in a refit at Amels in the Netherlands,
19:17bringing his total investment to around $38 million.
19:20The Trump Princess was undoubtedly luxurious by 1980s standards.
19:24The yacht featured over 100 cabins accommodating 22 guests and 52 crew members.
19:29The owner's suite was a masterpiece of excess,
19:32featuring a full-beam bedroom with a tortoiseshell ceiling,
19:34a three-meter-wide bed,
19:36and bedside remote controls for entertainment, room service, and curtains.
19:40The yacht included a secret exit, mirrored dressing room,
19:43and an onyx bathroom with a scallop-shell-shaped shower
19:45carved from a single piece of onyx.
19:47The amenities on the Trump Princess read like a luxury resort brochure.
19:51Two helicopter landing pads, two nine-meter tenders,
19:54a circular swimming pool with a water jet for continuous swimming,
19:57a private elevator, a patisserie, a three-chair hair salon,
20:01a hospital with an operating theater,
20:02a private cinema with an 800-film library,
20:05a disco and a sauna.
20:07The materials were the finest available,
20:09chamois leather and bird's-eye maple walls,
20:11onyx bathrooms, gold-colored trimmings,
20:13and marble floors throughout.
20:14However, Trump's yacht ownership was brief
20:16and ultimately driven by financial necessity
20:19rather than passion for yachting.
20:21He later admitted he
20:22wasn't fond of boating
20:23and had previously felt uncomfortable on friends' yachts.
20:26His primary motivation was the yacht's status symbol value
20:29and its ability to attract high rollers
20:31to his Atlantic City casino operations.
20:33By 1991, facing financial difficulties,
20:36Trump sold the Trump Princess
20:37to Saudi Prince Al-Walid bin Talal
20:40for $19 million,
20:41taking a significant loss on his investment.
20:43The yacht was renamed Kingdom 5KR
20:46and remains in operation today under different ownership.
20:48The sale represented not just a financial decision,
20:51but the end of Trump's brief experiment
20:53with super-yacht ownership.
20:54Trump did announce plans for a second yacht,
20:56the Trump Princess II,
20:57which would have been even more spectacular.
20:59This planned 128-meter, 420-foot yacht
21:03was designed to be not only the largest yacht in the world,
21:06but at the same time, the most beautiful.
21:08Trump paid $170,000 for the conceptual design,
21:11but the project was cancelled in 1994
21:14due to Trump's financial difficulties,
21:16with his companies facing $3.5 billion in corporate debt.
21:20Now, let's contrast this with Putin's alleged maritime empire,
21:23and the differences become almost comically stark.
21:26Where Trump owned one yacht for three years
21:28and sold it at a loss,
21:29Putin allegedly controls a fleet
21:31that has been growing and evolving for over two decades.
21:34Where Trump's yacht cost him roughly $40 million total,
21:37Putin's Scheherazade alone is valued at $700 million,
21:40making it worth more than 17 Trump princesses.
21:44The scale difference extends far beyond monetary value.
21:47Trump's yacht, while luxurious,
21:48was a product of the 1980s
21:50and reflected the design sensibilities
21:52and technological limitations of that era.
21:55Putin's alleged fleet represents
21:56cutting-edge 21st century yacht design,
21:59with features that Trump could never have imagined in 1988.
22:03The indoor swimming pool with retractable floor
22:05that converts into a dance floor on the Scheherazade,
22:07the drone-crashing system for enhanced privacy,
22:10and the advanced security features
22:12represent technological leaps
22:14that put these vessels in an entirely different category.
22:17The operational philosophy behind these yachts
22:19reveals even more dramatic differences.
22:21Trump used his yacht as a business tool,
22:23docking it at Farley Marina in Atlantic City
22:25to attract high rollers to Trump's Castle Hotel and Casino.
22:28He made it available for select charities
22:30and hosted public events,
22:32including a notable Independence Day celebration
22:34in New York in 1988.
22:35The yacht was part of Trump's brand,
22:37a visible symbol of success
22:39that was meant to be seen and admired.
22:40Putin's alleged yachts operate
22:42under completely different principles.
22:44These vessels are designed for absolute privacy and security,
22:47with AIS systems that can be turned off to avoid tracking,
22:50routes that deliberately avoid public attention,
22:52and security features that rival those of naval vessels.
22:55Where Trump's yacht was about projection and spectacle,
22:58Putin's fleet is about discretion and control.
23:01The crew and operational structures tell similar stories.
23:04Trump's yacht operated like a luxury hotel,
23:06with professional crew focused on guest service and entertainment.
23:09Putin's alleged fleet operates more like a private navy,
23:12with crew members consisting of Federal Protective Service,
23:15FFSO officers, described as Putin's personal army,
23:19and interconnected personnel who move between vessels in the fleet.
23:22The maintenance and operational costs
23:24reveal perhaps the starkest contrast of all.
23:26Trump's yacht had estimated annual operating costs
23:29of $2.5 million,
23:31which ultimately proved too expensive for him to sustain.
23:33Putin's Scheherazade alone has annual running costs estimated at $50,
23:38$75 million,
23:39with the entire fleet's operational costs
23:41likely exceeding $100 million annually.
23:44This represents a level of ongoing financial commitment
23:46that dwarfs anything Trump ever attempted in the maritime world.
23:50Perhaps most significantly,
23:51the longevity and evolution of these maritime assets
23:54tell completely different stories
23:56about their owners' relationships with wealth and power.
23:59Trump's yacht ownership was a brief experiment
24:01during a particular phase of his business career,
24:03ultimately abandoned when it became financially unsustainable.
24:07Putin's alleged fleet has grown and evolved over decades,
24:09with new vessels added,
24:11existing ones upgraded with multi-million dollar refits,
24:14and the entire operation becoming more sophisticated over time.
24:17The current status of these yachts provides the final,
24:20most telling comparison.
24:21Trump no longer owns any yachts
24:23and has shown no inclination to re-enter the superyacht market,
24:26even as his wealth has grown in recent years
24:28through various business ventures and cryptocurrency investments.
24:31His brief yacht ownership remains a historical footnote,
24:34a three-year experiment that ended over three decades ago.
24:37Meanwhile, Putin's alleged maritime empire continues to expand and evolve.
24:41Even under international sanctions,
24:43Putin's refit work continues on detained vessels funded by undisclosed parties,
24:47indicating ongoing investment in maintaining and upgrading these assets.
24:51The Kassatka underwent a $31.8 million refit during 2021-2023,
24:57despite being under sanctions,
24:58demonstrating a level of commitment to maritime luxury
25:01that transcends political and economic pressures.
25:04The technological evolution gap becomes even more apparent
25:07when we consider what each fleet represents
25:09in terms of maritime innovation.
25:11The Trump Princess, for all its 1980s luxury,
25:14featured technology that was already becoming outdated
25:16by the time Trump sold it.
25:18Putin's alleged fleet represents the cutting edge
25:21of 21st century yacht design,
25:23with innovations like convertible pools
25:25that transform into dance floors,
25:27cryotherapy chambers,
25:28and security systems that wouldn't look out of place
25:30in a science fiction movie.
25:32The scale of luxury amenities
25:33reveals perhaps the most dramatic contrast.
25:36The Trump Princess featured impressive amenities for its era,
25:39a cinema, disco, hospital, and hair salon.
25:42But compare this to the Scheherazade's offerings.
25:44Two helicopter landing pads,
25:45comprehensive spa facilities with hammam and cryotherapy,
25:48indoor swimming pool with retractable floor,
25:51full cinema room, beauty salon,
25:52gym elevator access across six decks,
25:55and drone defense systems.
25:56The Scheherazade doesn't just exceed the Trump Princess in luxury,
25:59it operates in an entirely different category of opulence.
26:02This isn't just about money,
26:04though the financial scale is staggering.
26:05It's about the fundamental difference
26:07between yacht ownership as a luxury purchase
26:09and yacht control as an instrument of power.
26:12Trump bought a yacht, enjoyed it briefly,
26:14and sold it when it no longer served his purposes.
26:16Putin allegedly controls a fleet
26:18that serves as mobile command centers,
26:20diplomatic venues,
26:21and symbols of state power
26:23that continue to operate
26:24even under international sanctions.
26:26The story of Putin's 700 million dollar mega yacht
26:29making Trump's boat look like a dinghy isn't hyperbole.
26:32It's a mathematical reality
26:33that reflects deeper truths
26:35about power, wealth,
26:36and the resources available
26:37to those who control entire nations
26:39versus those who build business empires.
26:41In the end, we're not just comparing yachts,
26:43we're examining two completely different universes
26:46of wealth and power,
26:47where one man's greatest maritime luxury
26:49becomes a footnote in another's floating empire.
26:51If you like this,
26:52check out the recommended videos
26:53by clicking the cards on your screen.
26:55Click the cards on your screen.
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