Key Points Summary: Trump in Saudi Arabia
- Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia to red-carpet royal treatment
- Crown Prince MBS personally chauffeurs Trump in a golf cart
- At-Turaif Palace hosts state dinner with Elon Musk in attendance
- $600B in Saudi investments and $142B weapons deal announced
- Air Force One greeted with fighter jets and horse escort
- Trump praises MBS, contrasting Bidenโs cold treatment
- Media muzzled to avoid awkward questions at heritage site
Donald Trump got the royal treatment in Saudi Arabia Tuesday. The 78-year-old ex-president was welcomed like a king โ complete with a personal golf cart ride from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
As Air Force One touched down, six fighter jets screamed through the sky. Then came a dazzling display of Arabian horses and camel riders lining the motorcade route to the Saudi royal palace. All of it signaled one thing: Saudi Arabia rolled out the red carpet.
Crown Prince Drives Trump Through History
The crown prince, 39, didnโt just greet Trump. He chauffeured him in a golf cart through At-Turaif in Diriyah โ the 18th-century birthplace of the Saudi dynasty.
Men in white robes and red headscarves danced and chanted as Trump arrived at Salwa Palace. The historic site, built in 1765, was the backdrop for a lavish state dinner. Cabinet officials and tech titan Elon Musk joined the feast.
It was a striking display of pageantry and symbolism, tailored to a man known for both pomp and golf. Trump grinned as he toured the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Trump and MBS Show Public Bromance
Throughout the day, Trump and MBS praised one another. This warm embrace came in stark contrast to President Bidenโs 2022 visit, where he offered MBS only a fist bump โ a snub linked to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
In Diriyah, there were no such cold shoulders. Trump beamed, calling MBS โa visionaryโ and promising tighter cooperation.
Notably, the trip included massive business talk: Trump hailed $600 billion in new Saudi investments in the U.S. and confirmed a weapons deal worth $142 billion. Thatโs despite years of criticism in Washington over arms sales to Riyadh.
Reporters Silenced as Media Managed
But the Saudi hospitality came with strings. Journalists at the state dinner were warned not to shout questions. Sensitive topics โ like Saudi Arabiaโs nuclear ambitions or human rights issues โ were off-limits.
The tight media control was meant to prevent disruptions or diplomatic embarrassments. Still, Trump supporters cheered the optics.
Meanwhile, critics called the visit another example of the former president cozying up to authoritarian leaders.
Camels, Deals, and Quiet Diplomacy
Earlier in the day, Trumpโs motorcade was flanked by a royal cavalry. Riders carried U.S. flags on horseback, while camels stood guard along the ceremonial route.
Inside the palaces, discussion was less theatrical but no less important. Sources say oil production, regional stability, and military expansion were all on the table.
Trumpโs team included big business names: Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, BlackRock chief Larry Fink, and Elon Musk. The message was clear โ the U.S. is open for Saudi business.
Golf Carts, Not Tension
While previous administrations kept a cautious tone with Riyadh, Trump embraced the glamour. The golf cart ride was more than symbolic โ it was a nod to personal diplomacy.
With two more stops on his Middle East trip โ Abu Dhabi and Qatar โ Trump appears to be rebuilding ties in a region where he sees big economic and strategic stakes.
For now, Trumpโs message was simple: he came to do deals, not to scold.
