Trump Hosts Saudi Crown Prince with Military Honors
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump welcomed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia to the White House in a ceremony reminiscent of royal receptions, complete with military honors and a grand aerial display. The event underscored a significant $1 trillion partnership between the two nations.
The Crown Prince was received on the South Lawn by an honor guard and a horse bearing both American and Saudi flags. As he joined Trump, six fighter jets flew overhead, adding to the occasion’s dramatic flair.
This elaborate greeting occurred despite the visit not being an official state event, as bin Salman is the prime minister, while the official head of state is his father, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Trump referred to the Crown Prince as a “really good friend.”
Inside the Oval Office, Trump and bin Salman shared a light-hearted moment in front of reporters, where Trump teased bin Salman about his fist bump with Joe Biden in 2022, remarking on the difference in their handshake.
After their handshake, Trump joked, saying, “Trump doesn’t bump fists. I’ll grab that hand. I won’t care where that hand has been.”
During the visit, Saudi Arabia committed to dramatically increasing its investments in the U.S. economy — from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion — focusing on sectors like artificial intelligence and rare earth materials. Bin Salman noted, “Today and tomorrow, we will announce that we will increase that $600 billion investment, real investments, and real opportunities in many areas.”
Trump acknowledged the remarkable scale of this effort, stating, “We are achieving numbers that no one has ever achieved.”
While the specifics of the defense and mineral investments remain unclear, bin Salman emphasized that the United States is “the hottest country on earth” for foreign investment, highlighting both current and future opportunities.
Trump has often pointed to the strategic significance of Saudi investments in the U.S., and he has personal ties to the region through the Trump Organization’s real estate interests in Jeddah.
When questioned by reporters about potential conflicts of interest regarding his family’s business dealings with Saudi Arabia, Trump dismissed the concerns, asserting, “I have nothing to do with the family business. I left home and devoted 100% of my energy [to running this country].” He claimed his family’s operations involved little in Saudi Arabia, but he acknowledged the potential for future business.
Additionally, Trump hinted at Saudi Arabia possibly purchasing the F-35 stealth fighter jet, suggesting a shift in policy, although this has raised concerns about the security implications of the advanced technology.
Both leaders also suggested deeper cooperation on regional security issues, including matters related to Gaza, but details were not disclosed. It’s worth noting that Saudi Arabia played a crucial role in facilitating Hamas’s agreement to Trump’s recent peace plan.
