Trump to Host Saudi Crown Prince in First White House Visit Since the Khashoggi Killing

In Washington this week, U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to host Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House. The agenda includes everything from a morning welcoming ceremony to an evening formal dinner—protocol elements normally reserved for full state visits. While traveling to Florida, Trump emphasized that this would be more than a routine meeting, saying they intended to “honor Saudi Arabia and the Crown Prince.”

First Meeting Since the Khashoggi Killing

This will be the Crown Prince’s first visit to the White House since 2018, the year journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate. A U.S. intelligence report later suggested that MBS had approved the operation, creating tension between the two countries. Despite this, the upcoming visit signals that the rift in U.S.–Saudi relations has largely healed.

A Visit With State-Level Ceremony

Although officially labeled a “working visit,” the U.S. administration is planning it with the grandeur typically associated with state visits. A military band greeting, a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, and a black-tie evening event are all included. Invitations have already been sent out, mainly to CEOs, lawmakers, and governors. First Lady Melania Trump is overseeing the arrangements for the official dinner.

Key Issues on the Agenda

Normalization With Israel and the Abraham Accords

Trump said he plans to discuss Saudi Arabia’s potential participation in the Abraham Accords. Following the Gaza conflict, he believes normalization between Israel and Riyadh is achievable. However, several U.S. officials note that Saudi Arabia is unlikely to take that step soon. Although the Crown Prince appears more flexible than his father, he insists on a credible path toward a Palestinian state—an idea strongly opposed by Israel.

Defense and Economic Cooperation

The talks are expected to cover multiple defense and technology agreements. After the large memorandums signed during Trump’s May visit to Riyadh—focused on defense investments and advanced technologies—the two sides will revisit cooperation in sectors such as semiconductors. Saudi Arabia is also expected to raise its request for American-made F-35 fighter jets and a clearer framework for official U.S. military protection.

U.S.–Saudi Investment Summit

Coinciding with the visit, a major investment event will take place in Washington. The summit at the Kennedy Center will bring together American and Saudi business leaders to explore new financial partnerships. It is being organized jointly by the Saudi Ministry of Investment and the U.S.–Saudi Business Council.

Previous Visits and Strategic Context

Trump’s first foreign trip of his second term was a visit to Saudi Arabia in May, where he was welcomed with extensive ceremonial displays. That visit concluded with Saudi commitments worth hundreds of billions of dollars in future investments.

Vision 2030 and Regional Dynamics

Under MBS’s leadership, Saudi Arabia continues to push forward with its Vision 2030 plan—an effort to diversify the economy and modernize state institutions. Riyadh aims to integrate Israel’s expertise in fields such as cybersecurity, fintech, and advanced technologies into this transformation.

The Trump administration views Iran’s regional influence as weakened in recent years, pointing to losses suffered by Tehran’s proxy groups in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen. Throughout Trump’s presidency, the United States has also sought to deepen ties with other Gulf states, including Qatar and the UAE