On November 18, 2025, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia made a high-profile visit to the White House. During this House committee meeting, he sparred rhetorically with perennial witness, former President Donald Trump. This informative and sophisticated visit was graced by substantial military honors, including a cannon salute and a beautiful flyover of US warplanes that included F35s. It was a potent symbol of the deepening U.S.-Saudi relationship. Bin Salman touched down to a colorful welcome of ceremony and protocol. This elaborate reception underscored his status as the kingdom’s de facto ruler.
In their joint statement following their meeting, bin Salman highlighted Saudi Arabia’s powerful investment commitment to the United States. To achieve this ambition, he announced that the kingdom will increase its overall investment commitment to upwards of $1 trillion. Here’s what Trump tweeted out about it. He was the one who broke the news that bin Salman agreed to invest $600 billion in various industries across the United States. The two leaders’ personal rapport was on full display as the pair discussed their long-standing friendship and areas of mutual interest.
You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial. Many people were not in favor of that same gentleman [Khashoggi] that you’re referring to. Whether you loved him or hated him, we went through an election, and stuff happens. Though he [bin Salman] wanted it implemented, he knew little about it. And we can leave it at that. Now that’s a question you don’t need to put our poor guest through the wringer by asking. – Donald Trump
Yet the meeting takes place amid a storm of controversy over bin Salman’s leadership. US intelligence in 2021 concluded that he personally approved the operation. That decision further resulted in the state-sponsored murder of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. Although bin Salman has publicly denied ordering the killing, he took full responsibility as the head of Saudi Arabia.
At their joint press conference following their meeting, one ABC News reporter had the courage to tackle a potentially explosive topic. Given the intelligence community’s conclusion, they argued, why should Americans trust bin Salman? That questioning underscored the continued strain around the death of Khashoggi and the track record of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia.
Bin Salman never wavered in his resolve to build close relations with the United States. His visit was a big milestone in deepening diplomatic ties between the two countries. This was especially critical at a time when they had mutual interests in increased oil production and regional security.
The crown prince and Trump walked hand in hand down the colonnade at the White House. During their spirited debate, Trump affectionately dubbed it the “Presidential Walk of Fame.” Their exchange revealed an obvious friendly chemistry that belies their long-time collaboration on many complicated geopolitical matters.