Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — In a visit filled with ceremony, business deals, and bold declarations, President Donald Trump returned to Saudi Arabia, where he was warmly received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and other top officials. The visit marks the beginning of his second-term diplomatic tour of the Middle East — and it’s clear Trump sees Riyadh not just as a partner, but as a symbol of a changing region.
At the heart of the visit was a staggering $600 billion investment package from Saudi Arabia into U.S. industries, including what Trump called the “largest defense deal in history.” The two leaders signed agreements spanning judicial cooperation, military modernization, and cybersecurity — all meant to deepen the strategic and economic bond between the two nations.
But beyond the numbers, the tone of the visit was personal.
“It’s an honor to be back,” Trump said while speaking at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum. “Saudi Arabia has done something extraordinary — not because someone told them how to, but because they believed in their own vision.” He praised Riyadh’s rapid transformation, calling it a “modern miracle, the Arabian way,” and dismissed years of Western-led interventions in the region.
The Crown Prince, referred to warmly by Trump as “a friend” and “wise beyond his years,” hosted a grand dinner in Dir’iyah to mark the occasion. The Saudi welcome was extravagant — from fighter jet escorts to ceremonial coffee rituals and a lavender carpet arrival with trumpet fanfare.
While critics remain vocal about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and MBS’s alleged involvement in journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s killing, Trump kept the focus on progress and partnership. He even highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in tech and culture, calling Riyadh “a future global capital.”
Trump also spoke of a potential fresh start for Syria, expressing hope for peace and announcing that his administration would consider lifting sanctions on the new government. “Good luck, Syria,” he said. “Show us something special.”
Adding a business angle, Trump referenced personal projects like a Trump Tower in Jeddah and plans for another in Riyadh. “Business is booming,” he told reporters, gesturing to top American CEOs in attendance — including Elon Musk and BlackRock’s Larry Fink. “These leaders are going home with some very big checks.”
The president’s schedule continues with stops in Qatar and the UAE. Qatar, in a symbolic gesture, has offered a luxury Boeing 747 as a temporary Air Force One. Trump shrugged off criticism of accepting the gift: “Why would I say no to a plane from a country we’ve protected for years?”
As he wrapped up his remarks, Trump reiterated his belief in regional self-determination: “The people of the Middle East are building their own future — and that future is brighter than ever.”
In a region often shaped by outside forces, Trump’s message was simple: let them lead, and let America stand beside them — not above them.
