Trump Arrives in Saudi Arabia to Kickstart ME Trip

By Staff, Agencies

US President Donald Trump received a royal Saudi welcome Tuesday as he arrived in the capital, Riyadh, descending Air Force One on purple-carpeted steps to a greeting from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Trump and the crown prince greeted each other warmly and walked the tarmac together, also briefly speaking to top Saudi officials before entering the airport, where they were seated in plush purple chairs with gold trim underneath portraits of Saudi royal family members.

They were joined by top US officials — Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright — as well as Saudi officials, who each sat in purple chairs alongside.

Prince bin Salman has emerged as a key Trump ally who has been involved in US efforts to mediate an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. He has worked to cultivate close ties to Trump, starting in the president’s first term, and was among the first world leaders to congratulate him after his swearing-in in January.

Choosing Riyadh as the first stop on his first major international trip of his second term underscores how Trump is seeking to prioritize and empower the Arab state from its isolation following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

Trump is scheduled to attend a more formal arrival ceremony with the crown prince, an introduction of the delegations, a lunch with CEOs, bilateral meetings, and an agreement signing of the Royal Court.

He is expected to give remarks at a US-Saudi Investment Forum, and later tour Dir’iyah and At-Turaif UNESCO world heritage site before a dinner with the crown prince.