Trump Hosts Saudi Crown Prince Amid Major Investment Announcement

On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, President Donald Trump greeted Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) with a warm embrace on the red carpet during a grand event at the White House. This visit was marked by significant military displays and the announcement that Saudi Arabia plans to increase its U.S. investments to nearly $1 trillion over the next decade.

While MBS isn’t the official head of state, he’s been effectively managing the country, as his father, King Salman, faces health challenges. The arrival ceremony for the crown prince was extensive, featuring an honor guard and the national anthem, a departure from the typical short drop-off at the West Wing.

After welcoming MBS personally, President Trump led him along the newly inaugurated Walk of Fame outside the West Wing, which is adorned with portraits of former presidents. Following this, the two leaders engaged in a bilateral meeting, which was followed by a luncheon in the Cabinet Room.

Trump is set to say goodbye to the crown prince on the South Lawn later in the afternoon, before they both head back to the palace where MBS will be honored at a state dinner in the East Room.

Adding a touch of celebrity to the visit, soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, currently with Al Nasr in the Saudi Professional League, was also in attendance at the White House, according to a spokesperson.

This marks MBS’s first official visit to D.C. since 2018. He made headlines by breaking tradition; instead of sending a deputy, he arrived in his own convoy, which the White House interpreted as a sign of respect. Just after his arrival, U.S. Air Force F-35 jets flew overhead in a synchronized display, hinting at a significant defense agreement to be discussed.

The crown prince announced that the heart of the day’s pact revolves around a substantial increase in Saudi investments in the U.S., raising the previous $600 billion commitment made during Trump’s visit to Riyadh in May to nearly $1 trillion. The investment will primarily flow through Saudi Arabia’s Sovereign Public Investment Fund into various sectors, including AI, semiconductors, energy, rare earth materials, and infrastructure projects.

In exchange for this increased investment, the Trump administration has approved the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a deal previously on hold under Biden. They also signed agreements for civil nuclear cooperation and next-generation energy initiatives.

MBS expressed admiration for the U.S., referring to it as “the hottest country on earth for investment.” He noted the importance of both immediate and long-term opportunities in the partnership.

“What you are creating is not just about today’s opportunities; it is also about long-term opportunities,” MBS stated.

President Trump echoed this sentiment cautiously, detailing the significance of the investments to the U.S. economy and job market. The atmosphere during this meeting was notably warmer than in past exchanges, contrasting sharply with the cooler relationship of recent years.

Notably, U.S. intelligence previously linked MBS to a controversial incident involving the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. When MBS was pressed on the topic, Trump intervened, indicating discomfort with the question and defending the crown prince by asserting he was unaware of the incident at the time.

MBS acknowledged the painful nature of the incident for Saudi Arabia and mentioned that appropriate actions were taken to address it. He further elaborated on Saudi Arabia’s aim to normalize relations with Israel, contingent upon meaningful advancements toward a Palestinian state—conditions that Trump regarded as “fair” and negotiable.

This visit is being touted as a hallmark of Trump’s diplomatic prowess, marking a resurgence of respect for the U.S. on a global scale. However, critics, including various human rights organizations, have voiced concerns about the administration’s ties to authoritarian figures while neglecting accountability for past actions.

The partnership between Trump and Saudi Arabia has grown stronger, with substantial commitments on the table and a renewed deal involving defense resources.