usinessWASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday brushed aside U.S. intelligence findings that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman likely played a role in the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, even as he offered the Saudi leader a warm welcome on his first visit to the White House in seven years.
For a time, the Khashoggi operation had put the U.S.–Saudi partnership in serious doubt. But the crown prince arrived in Washington ready to expand ties, announcing that Saudi Arabia would boost its planned investments in the United States to $1 trillion, up from the $600 billion pledged during Trump’s trip to the kingdom in May.
Borrowing language Trump often uses, the crown prince declared that the U.S. is the “hottest country on the planet” for foreign investment.
“What you’re creating is not about an opportunity today. It’s also about long-term opportunity,” Prince Mohammed said.
Trump’s family also has personal business interests in Saudi Arabia. In September, London developer Dar Global unveiled plans for Trump Plaza in the Red Sea city of Jeddah — the company’s second collaboration with the Trump Organization, which is controlled by the president’s children, in the kingdom.
Still, Trump pushed back at suggestions that this created a conflict of interest.
“I have nothing to do with the family business,” he said.
Human rights groups and government accountability advocates slammed Trump’s remarks about Khashoggi’s killing and his defense of his family’s business ties.
They say Saudi authorities continue to aggressively crush dissent by detaining activists, journalists, and political critics — and point to a rise in executions they believe is meant to silence opposition.
“President Trump has Jamal Khashoggi’s blood on his hands,” said Raed Jarrar, advocacy director for DAWN, a U.S.-based democracy and human rights group founded by Khashoggi.
Trump welcomed Prince Mohammed with full fanfare at the White House on Tuesday morning. The arrival ceremony featured a military flyover and a booming performance by the U.S. Marine Band.
Though not technically a state visit — since the crown prince is not the head of state — Prince Mohammed has effectively been running the Saudi government as his father, 89-year-old King Salman, faces health challenges.
That evening, Trump and first lady Melania Trump hosted a black-tie dinner in the White House East Room. Among the high-profile guests: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, tech billionaire Elon Musk, and soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.
At the dinner, Trump announced his decision to designate Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally, a mostly symbolic status that still offers benefits related to defense, trade, and security.
He also said the U.S. and Saudi Arabia had signed a new defense agreement, though the White House did not immediately release details. Saudi officials had previously suggested they were seeking clear commitments on U.S. defense support.
“A stronger and more capable alliance will advance the interests of both countries,” Trump said. “And it will serve the highest interest of peace.”
usinessOn the eve of the crown prince’s arrival, Trump revealed he had agreed to sell Saudi Arabia F-35 fighter jets, despite concerns inside his administration that the sale could allow China access to sensitive U.S. technology. On Tuesday, the White House confirmed the two leaders had finalized the F-35 deal, as well as an agreement for Saudi Arabia to purchase nearly 300 U.S. tanks.
They also signed agreements strengthening cooperation on capital markets, critical minerals, anti-money laundering efforts, and counter-terrorist financing.
The fighter jet sale was notable because some Republicans have been reluctant to risk upsetting Israel’s military advantage in the region — especially while Trump is counting on Israeli support for his Gaza peace plan.
The visit comes as Trump tries to persuade Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel.
During his first term, he helped broker the Abraham Accords, which opened diplomatic and commercial ties between Israel and Bahrain, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates.
Trump views expanding the accords as essential to stabilizing the Middle East after the two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. He argues that if Saudi Arabia — the Arab world’s biggest economy and home to Islam’s holiest sites — joins, others will follow.
But Saudi leaders insist progress toward a Palestinian state must come first. Israel remains firmly opposed to creating a Palestinian state.
“We want to be part of the Abraham Accords, but we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path of a two-state solution,” Prince Mohammed said.
Seven years after the Khashoggi killing fractured relations, Trump is now openly embracing the 40-year-old crown prince — calling him a key figure in shaping the region’s future.
In defending Prince Mohammed, Trump dismissed Khashoggi as “extremely controversial” and said “a lot of people didn’t like that gentleman.” Prince Mohammed continues to deny any involvement in the killing of Khashoggi, who was a Saudi citizen and a Virginia resident.
“Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen,” Trump said when asked about the case during an Oval Office appearance with the prince. “But (Prince Mohammed) knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that. You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that.”
But U.S. intelligence officials concluded the crown prince likely approved the operation, according to findings declassified in 2021 at the start of the Biden administration. Trump’s team had refused to release the report during his first term.
Prince Mohammed insisted Saudi Arabia “did all the right steps” in the aftermath.
“It’s painful and it’s a huge mistake,” he said.
Trump, calling the two leaders “good friends,” even praised Saudi Arabia for human rights progress — without offering any specifics.
