Unbreakable Bonds: Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Celebrate Friendship During Historic Riyadh Visit
The Ritz Carlton in Riyadh buzzed with anticipation on May 13, 2025, as U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepared to address a packed plenary room during the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum. Attendees included some of the world’s most influential CEOs, like Elon Musk and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, creating a dynamic atmosphere just before the two leaders took the stage.
Guests, ranging from billionaires to junior consultants, experienced a mix of impatience and humor while waiting for the leaders to arrive. “We were locked in the plenary for three hours before they showed up,” said Tarik Solomon, head of the American-Saudi Business Chamber in Riyadh. “Nothing says diplomacy like strategic patience.” Attendees noted the amusing sight of Fortune 500 executives sitting cross-legged on the floor, lacking proper seating arrangements for the extended wait. “They put the CEOs on the stage, and they were literally sitting on the ground, talking to each other. It was quite a funny scene,” revealed one participant, who requested anonymity.
Despite the informal atmosphere, attendees were energized when Trump finally took the stage, basking in the moment as “Proud to be an American” played through the venue’s speakers. His approximately 50-minute address primarily focused on U.S.-Saudi relations while also emphasizing his domestic agenda and legacy. “I feel like I just attended my first Trump rally,” noted a guest, again speaking on condition of anonymity.
In his speech, Trump commended Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation under Crown Prince Mohammed, stating, “Riyadh is becoming not just a seat of government but a major business, cultural, and high-tech capital of the entire world.” He direct his praise toward the 39-year-old crown prince, humorously asking, “Mohammed, do you sleep at night? How do you sleep?” He acknowledged the skepticism surrounding Saudi Arabia’s advancements over the last eight years but declared, “You’ve proved the critics totally wrong.”
Trump continued to express his admiration, saying, “He’s your greatest representative,” referring to bin Salman. “If I didn’t like him, I’d get out of here so fast. You know that, don’t you?” Bin Salman sat with a smile, often placing his hand on his heart in appreciation of Trump’s words.
Social media in Saudi Arabia reflected pride in the relationship on display between the Crown Prince and Trump, contrasting sharply with the cooler dynamics between the kingdom and the Biden administration. “Trump and MBS? It’s a bromance for the ages,” said a summit attendee, encapsulating the tone of the event.
One of the key outcomes of the forum was the announcement of an impressive $600 billion in investments by Saudi Arabia into the U.S., featuring a record-breaking $142 billion deal for American weaponry. Solomon summarized the atmosphere as “very optimistic,” noting that the right stakeholders were present and that the commitments felt substantive. “They confirmed $300 billion in real agreements, rather than stitching together flashy $1 billion headlines,” he added.
With a focus on investment and partnership, the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum not only highlighted the bond between the two leaders but also set the stage for significant economic collaborations ahead.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/14/trump-and-saudi-crown-prince-bask-in-friendship-during-riyadh-visit.html
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Publish Date: 2025-05-14 16:44:00
