In a rare and unscripted Oval Office press briefing, U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressed a wide array of topics, ranging from the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to artificial intelligence and arms sales. The 40-minute session, marked by Trump’s characteristic bravado, offered a unique glimpse into the relationship between the two leaders. Trump emphasized the unprecedented transparency of the meeting, stating, ‘There has never been transparency like this. We didn’t put restrictions.’ The Saudi Crown Prince, known for his diplomatic finesse, responded to questions with measured answers, particularly on the Khashoggi case, which he termed a ‘painful’ and ‘huge mistake.’ He also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to improve its systems to prevent such incidents in the future. The meeting underscored the strategic importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, with the Crown Prince pledging nearly $1 trillion in investments in the U.S., including in AI and rare-earth materials. Trump’s defense of the Crown Prince in front of the press contrasted sharply with his treatment of other world leaders, such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa. The dynamics of the meeting also revealed Riyadh’s success in rebalancing its relationship with Washington, dating back to World War II, and its growing influence in the shifting global power balance. The Crown Prince’s poised demeanor, despite occasional awkward moments, highlighted his diplomatic acumen and the strategic depth of Saudi-U.S. relations.
‘I grab that hand’: Saudi crown prince showered with praise in rare meet the press
