Trump Hosts MBS at the White House, Says F-35 Sale Will Be Announced
The visit underscores a renewed U.S.–Saudi alignment centered on defense, AI investment, civil nuclear cooperation.
Overview
- It is Mohammed bin Salman’s first official Washington visit since Jamal Khashoggi’s 2018 murder, which the CIA assessed he ordered.
- The White House meeting is expected to feature new cooperation on artificial intelligence and U.S. civil nuclear technology, alongside Trump’s pledged announcement of an F-35 sale.
- Riyadh aims to lay groundwork for a formal security arrangement with the United States, though no mutual defense pact is anticipated today.
- An F-35 transfer to Saudi Arabia carries regional implications, with reporting that the prospect has alarmed Israel.
- Scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest grows as Dar Global paid over $20 million in licensing to the Trump Organization for Saudi projects and House Oversight Democrats reported $7.8 million in foreign government payments, including at least $615,422 from Saudi Arabia, which the White House rejects as problematic.