In a diplomatic spectacle that drew the world’s attention, U.S. President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, at the White House from November 18 to 20, 2025. This visit, the prince’s first to American soil since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, was marked by lavish ceremonies, high-stakes deals, and a swirl of controversy that underscored the shifting priorities of U.S. foreign policy.
The tone was set from the start. As the Marine band played and fighter jets soared overhead in a V formation, Trump welcomed Prince Mohammed with a display of pomp rarely seen for a visiting foreign leader, especially one not technically a head of state. The crown prince, often referred to as MBS, arrived at the White House already having achieved several objectives, including progress on a mutual defense pact, agreements on artificial intelligence, and discussions about unprecedented Saudi investment in the United States.
Yet, the visit’s significance extended far beyond economic and military agreements. It cast a spotlight on the evolving relationship between Washington and Riyadh, particularly in the wake of Khashoggi’s killing. Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and outspoken critic of the Saudi government, was murdered on October 2, 2018, inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. U.S. intelligence agencies have repeatedly concluded that Prince Mohammed ordered the killing, a charge he has consistently denied. Eight people were eventually imprisoned in Saudi Arabia in connection with the crime.
Despite these findings, President Trump offered a vigorous public defense of the crown prince. When pressed by a reporter about U.S. intelligence conclusions, Trump interjected, “He knew nothing about it. You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking something like that.” He went further, minimizing the gravity of the crime by remarking, “A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen.” According to The New York Times, Trump’s comments not only contradicted U.S. intelligence but also signaled a marked departure from the traditional American emphasis on human rights in foreign policy. Nearly all recent U.S. administrations have engaged with leaders with questionable records, but Trump’s open embrace of MBS was striking in its candor.
Prince Mohammed, for his part, called Khashoggi’s death “painful” and “a huge mistake,” asserting that Saudi Arabia “did all the right steps” to investigate and punish those involved. Still, for many, including Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, the prince’s words rang hollow. Speaking to The New York Times, she maintained, “There is no justification to murder my husband. While Jamal was a good transparent and brave man, many people may not have agreed with his opinions and desire for freedom of the press. The Crown Prince said he was sorry so he should meet me, apologize and compensate me for the murder of my husband.” She continues to campaign for justice and compensation, urging both the U.S. and Saudi governments to address her loss.
The White House visit was not all about past grievances. Trump used the occasion to announce that Saudi Arabia would be designated a major non-NATO ally, a status that opens the door to closer economic and defense cooperation. This means the kingdom will have priority access to American-made defense equipment, such as the advanced F-35 fighter jets Trump pledged to sell to Riyadh. The deal, however, has raised eyebrows among U.S. allies and defense officials, particularly given concerns that China could gain access to sensitive technologies through Saudi partnerships.
On the economic front, both leaders made bold claims. Trump declared that the U.S. could “count on $600 billion” in Saudi investments, while Prince Mohammed upped the ante, promising nearly $1 trillion—a figure that matches the entire Saudi sovereign wealth fund. Economists, however, were quick to point out the improbability of such sums materializing, especially as Saudi Arabia faces fiscal strains from lower oil prices and massive domestic spending commitments.
The three-day affair culminated in a black-tie dinner at the White House, attended by an eclectic mix of global power players. Notable guests included soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr and is the highest-paid player in the Saudi Pro League; Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, whose relationship with both Trump and Saudi Arabia has been tumultuous; Apple CEO Tim Cook and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, both of whom have deepening business ties with the kingdom; and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who played a pivotal role in securing the 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia. The guest list read like a who’s who of business, tech, sports, and politics, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the U.S.-Saudi partnership.
Tech giants like Apple, Dell, Cisco, Nvidia, and AMD have all inked significant deals with Saudi Arabia in recent years, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence and infrastructure. During the visit, agreements were reached on AI collaboration, a mutual defense pact, and the possibility of Saudi access to U.S. nuclear technology. The kingdom’s appetite for high-tech investments is part of its broader “Vision 2030” initiative, aimed at diversifying its economy away from oil dependency.
Still, the visit unfolded under the shadow of unresolved regional tensions. Trump pressed Prince Mohammed to normalize relations with Israel, hoping to expand the Abraham Accords. The crown prince, however, reiterated that Saudi Arabia would require “a clear path to a two-state solution” for the Palestinians before moving forward. “We want to be part of the Abraham Accords but we also want to be sure that we secure a clear path of a two-state solution,” he told reporters in the Oval Office. The current political climate in Israel, marked by resistance to Palestinian statehood, makes such a breakthrough unlikely in the near term.
Amid the pageantry and high-level negotiations, the issue of press freedom and human rights remained a persistent undercurrent. Trump’s dismissive remarks about Khashoggi’s murder and his public berating of journalists drew sharp criticism from organizations like the National Press Club, which warned that “statements that appear to minimize or excuse the killing of a journalist have real-world consequences.” Amnesty International echoed these concerns, noting that “there had still been no justice for Mr. Khashoggi, and that the meeting between Prince Mohammed and Mr. Trump comes as human rights conditions in both Saudi Arabia and the United States continue to worsen.”
For all the grand gestures and ambitious promises, the visit left many questions unresolved—about the future of U.S.-Saudi relations, the prospects for peace in the Middle East, and the enduring challenge of reconciling strategic interests with the defense of human rights. Yet, as the ceremonies ended and the guests departed, it was clear that the partnership between Washington and Riyadh had entered a new, more transactional era—one where power, money, and influence often speak louder than principles.
