What’s on the agenda as Saudi Arabia’s MBS meets Trump in the US?
Al Jazeera15 hrs
Trump Welcomes Saudi Crown Prince to the White House
Above: U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia during an arrival ceremony at the White House on Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Image credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Trump's historic welcome of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman marks a crucial reset for America's most important Middle East partnership. The $1 trillion Saudi investment pledge and F-35 fighter jet sales strengthen American security while creating jobs and advancing regional stability.
Establishment-critical narrative
Rolling out the red carpet for a dictator who ordered journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder shows Trump prioritizing corrupt business deals over American values. The F-35 sales ignore Pentagon security concerns while Trump family real estate projects with Saudi Arabia create obvious conflicts of interest.