Then and there, Donald Trump stood (or rather, sat) alone onstage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The anthemic patriotic ballad “Proud to be an American” resounded across the venue. This moment marked the beginning of a significant event on May 13, 2025, as Trump delivered a 50-minute speech focusing on U.S.-Saudi relations and his domestic agenda.
On the campaign trail and throughout his address, Trump touted his long-time ties to the Saudi kingdom. He recalled his first state visit to Saudi Arabia in 2017 during his initial term as president, highlighting the warmth that has characterized his ties with the nation over the years. The mood at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum was electric with expectation. Fortune 500 execs/kids sat crisscross applesauce on the ground, clamoring to participate, as they were approached by a lack of chairs.
Trump dedicated much of his speech to praising Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who sat directly across from him in the audience. “Critics doubted that it was possible, what you’ve done, but over the past eight years, Saudi Arabia has proved the critics totally wrong,” he stated, acknowledging the kingdom’s achievements.
In a light-hearted moment, Trump quipped to Bin Salman, “Mohammed, do you sleep at night? How do you sleep?” This comment drew the biggest laugh of the night and deepened the bond already formed between the two politicians. During the MBS meetings, the Saudi crown prince smiled up at Trump, frequently putting a hand over his heart in a gesture of deep gratitude.
Trump touted major Saudi investments into the United States during the announcement, to the tune of $600 billion. This consisted of record setting $142 billion agreement for American armaments. He noted the significance of these agreements, stating they were more than just flashy headlines: “That’s why we give so much, you know? Too much.”
As he continued to extol Saudi Arabia’s transformation under Bin Salman’s leadership, Trump remarked, “Riyadh is becoming not just a seat of government but a major business, cultural and high-tech capital of the entire world.” His enthusiasm for the partnership wasn’t just in the pre-released text, but infused throughout the speech.
The event’s would-be attendees showed palpable enthusiasm at the prospect of Trump appearing. One anonymous participant remarked, “I feel like I just attended my first Trump rally,” while another quipped, “Trump and MBS? It’s a bromance for the ages.” The mood was undeniably celebratory as guests celebrated the historic importance of this moment in U.S.-Saudi relations.
The event had its challenges. Tarik Solomon shared that attendees were “locked in the plenary for three hours before they showed up.” The excitement, hope and expectation was palpable as Trump came to the end of his speech.
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