American citizen Faye Hall, recently freed from Taliban custody, expressed deep gratitude to former US President Donald Trump in a heartfelt message shared on Saturday (local time).
In a video released by The White House on X, Hall thanked Trump for facilitating her return home, stating, “I’m glad you’re the President, and thank you for bringing me home. I have never been so proud to be an American citizen. Thank you, Mr. President.”
Reflecting on her time in an Afghan prison, Hall revealed that the women held alongside her viewed Trump as a “savior” and eagerly awaited his intervention. “All the women in the Afghan jail always ask me, ‘When is Trump coming?’ They treat you like their savior. They are waiting for you to come and set them free,” she added.
Faye Hall had been detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan since February, reportedly for operating a drone without authorization. CNN, citing sources, confirmed that she was released on Thursday following a court order, with Qatar playing a key mediating role.
According to sources, Hall was received at the Qatari Embassy in Kabul, where she underwent medical checks and was confirmed to be in good health. Arrangements are now underway for her return to the United States.
Former US ambassador to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, shared an update on X, posting a picture of Hall and thanking Qatar for its diplomatic efforts. “American citizen Faye Hall, just released by the Taliban, is now in the care of our friends, the Qataris in Kabul, and will soon be on her way home. Thank you, #Qatar, for your ongoing and steadfast partnership,” he wrote.
Hall’s release follows a diplomatic push by Trump envoy Adam Boehler and Khalilzad, who had previously traveled to Kabul to negotiate the release of another American citizen, George Glezmann.
Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the US has had no diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, relying on Qatar as its “protective power” to represent its interests in the region.
