President Trump names Saudi Arabia as major non-NATO ally
At a dinner with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Donald Trump announced that he would designate Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally.
White House gourmet meals for foreign dignitaries are always on the diplomatic tablecloth. But for Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the black-tie dinner featured much more succulent dishes than pistachio-crusted rack of lamb.
It’s not every day that a foreign official celebrates at the White House in the aftermath of a highly publicized murder — especially one in which the royal guest of honor was previously named by the CIA as the mastermind behind the murder.
It was a surprising attempt to repair the image of the prince, who the CIA concluded in 2018 ordered the assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi of Saudi Arabia at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
President Donald Trump defended the prince in the Oval Office on Tuesday, answering questions from reporters and saying the prince “knew nothing” about the assassination. Throughout the day and into the evening, the two exchanged big money and big promises.
The president had previously secured $600 billion in investment commitments for Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday, bin Salman told President Trump he would increase that investment to $1 trillion.
“Today was a big day. A very important day for both countries,” President Trump said. “We have gotten to know each other well over the years and have become true partners for the peace and prosperity of our countries and the world, as well as for peace in the Middle East. This was a great achievement for both of us.”
The Saudi government initially denied knowing anything about Khashoggi’s disappearance. It ultimately indicted investigators linked to bin Salman over the journalist’s death in the face of international condemnation, while denying any involvement by the crown prince.
On the morning of November 18, the prince was welcomed to the White House by President Trump as fighter jets flew overhead in a V-shaped formation and a military band played. A black horse carrying American and Saudi flags galloped across the south lawn.
Lunch followed the bilateral talks in the Oval Office.
In the evening, Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader returned for a red carpet welcome at the White House, where he was greeted by the president in a black tuxedo and black bow tie and first lady Melania Trump in a strapless emerald green dress.
The Crown Prince was ushered into the East Room, where a grand candlelit black tie dinner was being held in his honor. Tesla CEO and former partner Elon Musk also attended. It was Trump’s first visit to the White House since he abruptly resigned in May after opposing Trump’s signature tax and spending bill.
President Trump praised the prince as “a great friend and a man of leadership, vision, courage and strength.” According to published reports, they dined on pistachio-crusted rack of lamb and had pear couverture mousse for dessert.
In 2019, then-presidential candidate Joe Biden vowed to make Saudi Arabia a global “pariah” because of the killing. However, the U.S. government eventually repaired relations as Russia’s war in Ukraine and the Israel-Gaza war changed geopolitical realities. Biden visited Saudi Arabia in 2022 to reset diplomatic relations, address global energy prices and strengthen regional security.
When President Trump returned to the White House, his first international trip was to Saudi Arabia, just like in his first term. Tuesday was the prince’s first visit to the White House since Khashoggi’s death.
Trump had a gift for the prince
He announced at the dinner that he would designate Saudi Arabia as a major “non-NATO ally.” This is the designation given by the United States to countries that have close and strategic cooperation with the U.S. military and defense civilians.
“I am pleased to announce that we are taking military cooperation to the next level by officially designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally. This is very important to Saudi Arabia,” President Trump said. “And tonight I wanted to keep something a little secret, so I’m only talking about it now.”
The two countries also signed agreements on civil nuclear energy and the sale of US-made F-35 fighter jets.
The room was filled with CEOs and sports legends.
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nasr, was also present, and President Trump said his youngest son Barron is a big fan of Ronaldo.
“Barron had to meet him,” Trump said. “And I think he respects his father a little more now just by the fact that I introduced you.”
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is USA TODAY’s White House correspondent. You can follow her at X @SwapnaVenugopal.
