Washington, Nov 24 (V7N) – The White House hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a reception widely described as one of the most extravagant and costly ever organized by U.S. President Donald Trump. Although formally designated as a state visit, the scale, grandeur, and ceremonial pageantry of the event exceeded standard diplomatic protocol, signaling a high-profile display of U.S.-Saudi strategic relations under the Trump administration.

The ceremonial welcome on the South Lawn included a mounted color guard, military bands, and a flyover by U.S. military aircraft. The elaborate display underscored the United States’ emphasis on its partnership with Saudi Arabia and highlighted Trump’s unique approach to diplomacy, which often blends showmanship with statecraft.

During a press briefing, journalists raised the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump strongly defended Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, dismissing the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies that suggested the Saudi leadership’s involvement. He claimed the Crown Prince had no knowledge of the killing and rebuked the reporter asking the question. The president’s defense drew criticism from international observers, human rights groups, and political analysts, spotlighting the tension between strategic alliances and accountability in U.S. foreign policy.

The Crown Prince’s visit included high-level meetings with senior U.S. officials, focusing on regional security, energy cooperation, and investment opportunities. Analysts noted that while the visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties, it also revealed the complexities of U.S. foreign policy priorities, in which strategic interests are often balanced against ongoing concerns over human rights and governance in allied nations.

Trump’s public display of pageantry and his defense of the Crown Prince sparked debate about U.S. foreign policy, highlighting how ceremonial diplomacy and personal political style intersect with broader geopolitical objectives.

END/WD/AJ/