Trump’s Royal Welcome in Saudi Arabia: Gold, Grandeur, and Geopolitics
May 14, 2025
Riyadh — U.S. President Donald Trump was greeted in Saudi Arabia with a level of extravagance befitting a monarch. His arrival marked not just a diplomatic engagement, but a reunion of shared interests between two powerful families — the Trump business dynasty and the Saudi royal establishment.
A Royal Reception Fit for a Tycoon
From the moment Air Force One entered Saudi airspace, escorted by F-15 fighter jets, it was clear that Trump’s visit would be far from ordinary. Upon landing at the Royal Terminal in Riyadh, a section reserved exclusively for foreign dignitaries, Trump was met by none other than Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) himself — a gesture of high esteem rarely extended to foreign leaders.
The ceremonial grandeur was unmistakable. Arabian horses accompanied the presidential motorcade. Trump walked a lavish lavender carpet into the Royal Court as ceremonial horns echoed through the halls. The interior, adorned with gold leaf, marble pillars, and crystal chandeliers, echoed the ornate luxury of Trump’s own Mar-a-Lago estate — but with the unmistakable flair of Saudi royalty.
Business, Politics, and Personal Ties
Trump’s rapport with the Saudi royal family runs deeper than politics. As he sat alongside Crown Prince Mohammed, the two leaders appeared at ease — business allies turned strategic partners. “I think we like each other a lot,” Trump remarked, reflecting a bond strengthened over years of mutual financial and political cooperation.
The visit’s itinerary highlighted these shared interests. Trump spoke at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, where international executives and defense contractors explored Saudi Arabia’s multibillion-dollar Vision 2030 projects. Notable developments included “The Line,” a futuristic mirrored city stretching 100 miles across the desert, and “Trojena,” an ambitious ski resort nestled in the arid northwest mountains.
Amid the high-tech presentations and architectural marvels, Trump supporters stood out, with a few red MAGA caps visible among traditional Saudi headscarves — a visual symbol of ideological kinship.
Echoes of History and Diplomacy
Trump was taken on a curated historical tour of Saudi-American relations, including a “gallery of memories” that celebrated nearly eight decades of partnership. Highlights included a desk gifted in 1950 by President Truman to King Abdulaziz Al Saud and references to the pivotal 1945 meeting between President Roosevelt and the Saudi monarch, which laid the foundation for the enduring alliance.
As the day’s events unfolded, Prince Mohammed personally chauffeured Trump in a golf cart to a state dinner, passing through Diriyah — a historic site now transformed into a $60 billion real estate megaproject. Once the seat of Saudi power 300 years ago, Diriyah is being redeveloped into a tourism and residential hub, blending heritage with modern luxury.
A Familiar Hotel with a Complex Past
Trump’s stay at the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh was symbolic. The opulent hotel, set on 52 acres of manicured grounds, hosted him during his 2017 presidential visit and also served as the residence for President Obama in 2014. However, it carries a controversial legacy — in 2017, the same hotel was repurposed by MBS as a temporary detention center during his anti-corruption purge, where dozens of elites were confined under royal orders.
The Geopolitical Undertone
While Trump’s visit was filled with pageantry and personal comfort, it also underscored the stark contrast in Saudi protocol for U.S. presidents. When President Joe Biden visited the kingdom in 2022 — following his campaign promise to make Saudi Arabia a "pariah" — he was greeted not by MBS, but by a regional governor, signaling cooler diplomatic ties.
By contrast, Trump’s reception served as a reminder of the transactional and personalist diplomacy that characterized his administration’s approach to the Gulf. From mutual economic ventures to shared visions of modernization and power consolidation, Trump and MBS continue to exemplify a pragmatic, if controversial, alliance.
Trump’s royal welcome in Riyadh was more than ceremonial — it was a public reaffirmation of a relationship built on gold, grandeur, and geopolitics. In a region where symbols speak louder than words, Saudi Arabia rolled out its most extravagant hospitality for a man who appreciates spectacle — and whose influence still looms large.