In a packed plenary room at the Ritz Carlton in Riyadh, U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) made headlines during the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum. The event not only marked a significant moment in U.S.-Saudi relations but also highlighted the warm personal relationship between the two leaders, often referred to as a “bromance” by attendees.
The forum brought together some of the world’s most powerful business leaders, including Tesla’s Elon Musk, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, and BlackRock’s Larry Fink. However, the spotlight remained firmly on the dynamic between Trump and MBS, as their camaraderie set the tone for the event.
A Packed and Chaotic Start
The anticipation was palpable as security corralled attendees — a mix of billionaires, CEOs, and junior consultants — into the plenary room. Attendees waited for nearly three hours before Trump and the crown prince appeared. Despite the delay, the energy in the room remained high.
The unorganized nature of the event led to amusing scenes, with Fortune 500 executives sitting cross-legged on the floor due to a shortage of seats. “We were locked in the plenary for three hours before they showed up,” said Tarik Solomon, head of the American-Saudi Business Chamber in Riyadh. “Nothing says diplomacy like strategic patience.”
Trump’s Star Power
As President Trump finally took the stage, the iconic patriotic song “Proud to be an American” boomed through the speakers. The president delivered a 50-minute speech that oscillated between praising Saudi Arabia’s growth and reflecting on his domestic political legacy.
“I feel like I just attended my first Trump rally,” one attendee quipped, describing the president’s ability to energize the room. Trump’s comments were filled with admiration for the Saudi kingdom and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“Riyadh is becoming not just a seat of government but a major business, cultural, and high-tech capital of the entire world,” Trump said, addressing the audience before turning to MBS. “Mohammed, do you sleep at night? How do you sleep? Critics doubted that it was possible, what you’ve done, but over the past eight years, Saudi Arabia has proved the critics totally wrong.”
As the crowd applauded, Trump highlighted his personal affection for the crown prince. “He’s your greatest representative, greatest representative. And if I didn’t like him, I’d get out of here so fast. You know that, don’t you? He knows me well. I do — I like him a lot. I like him too much.”
MBS, seated directly across from Trump, frequently placed his hand on his heart and smiled, visibly moved by the remarks.
Major Deals and Optimism
The forum was not just about speeches and camaraderie. It was a platform for significant announcements, including a record $600 billion investment by Saudi Arabia into the U.S. economy. This included a groundbreaking $142 billion arms deal.
Tarik Solomon, reflecting on the event, described it as “less performative” than previous forums. “The right people were in the room, and the deals felt more concrete this time. Probably because they confirmed $300 billion in real agreements, rather than stitching together flashy $1 billion headlines.”
A Stark Contrast to the Biden Era
The warmth between Trump and MBS highlighted a stark contrast to the strained relationship during the Biden administration, which had taken a cooler approach to Saudi Arabia. The visible chemistry between the two leaders, coupled with the magnitude of the deals announced, signals a renewed chapter in U.S.-Saudi relations.
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
→ 
→ 
→ 
→ 
→ 
→ 
→ 
