US President Donald Trump is set to welcome Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington on Tuesday, marking the prince’s first visit to the United States since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The visit is expected to include a lavish reception, highlighting Trump’s continued focus on strengthening ties with the oil-rich Gulf kingdom.
Trump has planned an elaborate welcome for the Saudi leader, featuring a fly-by, a ceremonial gun salute, and a gala dinner. Although Prince Mohammed is not officially a head of state, the US president is giving him the equivalent of a state dinner, signaling the importance of the bilateral relationship.
The visit will see Trump and Prince Mohammed sign several high-profile agreements. These include defense deals, with Trump confirming the sale of F-35 stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia despite concerns from Israel, as well as a framework for civilian nuclear cooperation, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
In addition to these agreements, Trump will use the opportunity to press the Saudi leader on normalizing relations with Israel, part of his broader goal of achieving a Middle East peace deal following the war in Gaza. “We’re more than meeting,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Friday. “We’re honoring Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince.”
For Prince Mohammed, this trip represents a chance to reset his image in Washington after the international controversy surrounding Khashoggi’s killing. The journalist, a Washington Post columnist, was murdered by Saudi agents inside the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul, an act widely believed by US intelligence to have been approved by the prince—a claim Riyadh denies. Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, told CNN that the killing had “destroyed my life” and urged the US to consider human rights and democratic values in its dealings with Saudi Arabia.
The 40-year-old heir has maintained close ties with Trump and his family over the years. Their relationship was notably highlighted during Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia in May, where the two countries announced $600 billion in investment pledges.
Security and Investment Priorities
Beyond diplomacy, Prince Mohammed is expected to seek firmer US security guarantees. This follows regional tensions after Israeli strikes on Qatar in September, which unsettled Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia is also pursuing the purchase of advanced air and missile defense systems and high-tech chips to support its ambitions in artificial intelligence.
While Trump aims to bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords, formal normalization with Israel remains unlikely at this stage. Riyadh is demanding progress on the international push for a Palestinian state before making any such commitments.
Despite these complex issues, the visit will emphasize the strong personal relationship between Trump and Prince Mohammed. In addition to defense and nuclear deals, Trump is expected to attend a US-Saudi investment forum in Washington on Wednesday, highlighting energy projects and AI developments.
Business ties between the Trump family and Saudi investors continue to expand. On the eve of the prince’s visit, Saudi developer Dar Global announced a partnership with the Trump Organization to build a luxury hotel in the Maldives, with financing opportunities available through digital tokens.
This visit underscores the enduring strategic, economic, and personal links between Washington and Riyadh, even as the shadow of past controversies lingers over the bilateral relationship.