President Donald Trump is set to welcome Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House on Tuesday in a highly orchestrated visit. Sources say the plans include a morning welcome ceremony and an evening formal dinner, highlighting the significance of the meeting.
While the visit will have all the ceremonial trappings of a state visit, it is technically a working visit because King Salman remains Saudi Arabia’s head of state. The crown prince, however, manages most day-to-day affairs and attends diplomatic events as the kingdom’s de facto ruler.
Trump has announced that the United States will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that could shift the military balance in the Middle East. “They’ve been a great ally,” Trump told reporters. “I will say that we will be doing that. We’ll be selling F-35s.”
The visit also aims to advance the Abraham Accords, Trump’s signature diplomatic initiative. The president hopes Saudi Arabia will soon establish formal ties with Israel. “The Abraham Accords will be a part we’re going to be discussing,” Trump said. “I hope that Saudi Arabia will be going into the Abraham Accords fairly shortly.”
This marks the crown prince’s first visit to the White House in over seven years. His last trip in 2018 preceded the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey. U.S. intelligence later assessed that the crown prince likely ordered the killing, though he denies involvement. Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, the journalist’s widow, expressed her pain about the planned meeting.
Trump maintained ties with the crown prince throughout his first term, though he was not invited back to the White House. Even President Joe Biden, who criticized Saudi human rights practices as a candidate, visited Riyadh and interacted with the crown prince. Tuesday’s visit underscores a return to closer U.S.-Saudi relations.
The visit’s schedule includes a military band welcome, a bilateral Oval Office meeting, and a black-tie dinner. Invitations were extended to executives, lawmakers, and governors, with the first lady’s office coordinating the event.
Ahead of the visit, U.S. and Saudi officials are finalizing agreements on defense and security cooperation. Riyadh has long sought the F-35 jets, which Israel currently maintains as its exclusive Middle East advantage. While congressional approval may be needed for export licenses, discussions continue.
Trump’s agenda also focuses on Saudi normalization with Israel, a goal delayed by last year’s Israel-Hamas conflict. Discussions involve a potential U.S. defense treaty and support for a civilian nuclear program in exchange for diplomatic ties. The crown prince has indicated that Palestinian statehood conditions remain crucial before formalizing relations.
Saudi officials are also concerned about Sudan’s stability, which they view as key to regional security. American officials hope progress will be made during the White House meeting. Jared Kushner, one of the architects of the Abraham Accords, visited Riyadh last week to consult with the crown prince ahead of the visit. Kushner has close ties to Saudi leaders and is working to advance the normalization agenda.
The visit also carries financial dimensions. The Trump Organization, run by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, has major real estate projects in Saudi Arabia. Kushner’s investment fund, Affinity Partners, has also raised billions in Saudi capital, adding a personal economic component to the high-profile diplomatic meeting.
