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Trump Hosts Saudi Crown Prince, Signals F‑35 Sale and Nuclear Cooperation Talks

The pageantry underscores a U.S. push to rebuild leverage with Riyadh.

Overview

  • Mohammed bin Salman was received at the White House with cannon salutes, mounted troops and fighter-jet flyovers in his first Washington visit in about seven years.
  • President Trump said he intends to sell F‑35 fighters to Saudi Arabia, a major policy shift from past Israel-only transfers and part of a broader effort to court Riyadh on regional alignment including Israel normalization.
  • Sources familiar with the talks said the leaders could advance a civilian nuclear cooperation framework that would rely on U.S. technology and face strict safeguards and congressional scrutiny.
  • Human-rights organizations and Jamal Khashoggi’s widow condemned the red-carpet reception and urged U.S. officials to confront the crown prince over the 2018 killing and other abuses.
  • Multiple outlets reported that Cristiano Ronaldo would join parts of the visit as a symbol of Saudi soft power, and separate diplomatic sources told Reuters the crown prince wants Trump to personally press for a ceasefire in Sudan.