On November 18, 2025, Donald Trump, 79, welcomed Mohammed bin Salman, 39, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, to the White House — the first such visit since 2017. The day’s schedule was meticulously choreographed: a 1600 GMT arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, followed by a 1645 GMT Oval Office meeting, a closed 1715 GMT lunch, and a black-tie dinner in the East Room hosted by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. By day’s end, the two leaders had laid groundwork for what could become the most consequential U.S.-Saudi deal in decades — one that ties defense, technology, and regional peace to a staggering $600 billion in Saudi investment commitments.
A Diplomatic Reset After Years of Strain
The visit marks a dramatic thaw in relations poisoned by the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post journalist killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Back then, Trump’s administration faced global condemnation for shielding MBS, despite U.S. intelligence concluding the Crown Prince ordered the killing. Now, with the Gaza ceasefire holding and regional tensions simmering, Washington is prioritizing stability over past grievances. "It’s not about forgetting," a senior White House official told reporters off-the-record. "It’s about building something bigger than what broke." The timing is no accident. With Iran’s regional influence growing and Israel still reeling from Hamas’s October 2023 attacks, the U.S. sees Saudi normalization with Israel as a linchpin for long-term peace. But there’s a catch — and it’s non-negotiable for Riyadh.MBS’s Condition: A Path to Palestinian Statehood
According to The Times of Israel, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made one thing crystal clear: Saudi Arabia will not formally join the Abraham Accords unless there’s a credible, internationally backed roadmap to Palestinian statehood. That’s a seismic shift. The 2020 Accords, brokered by Jared Kushner, brought the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco into diplomatic relations with Israel — all without addressing Palestinian sovereignty. Saudi Arabia, as the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites and the Arab world’s most influential power, refused to follow suit. Until now. "MBS isn’t asking for a full state tomorrow," said a Middle East analyst familiar with the talks. "He’s asking for a signed agreement, a timeline, and a UN-monitored process. That’s the price of entry." The U.S. has signaled openness. Sources confirm that a draft framework, tentatively called the "Washington Declaration on Palestinian Sovereignty," is being drafted by State Department and NSC teams. It would include phased recognition, security guarantees, and international aid coordination — but stops short of immediate statehood.The $600 Billion Gamble
Behind closed doors, the real prize was economic. The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), led by MBS, has pledged $600 billion in U.S. investments since 2019 — but less than 30% has been deployed. The White House expects $200 billion in commitments to be locked in by year’s end, with $400 billion more to follow over five years. The money will flow into AI infrastructure, clean energy projects, semiconductor manufacturing, and defense logistics. Notably, Saudi Arabia is seeking access to U.S. F-35 fighter jets, nuclear energy technology under IAEA safeguards, and AI systems for smart city development. The defense pact, still under negotiation, could include joint training, maintenance hubs in the Gulf, and co-development of drone defense systems. "This isn’t just about buying weapons," said retired General David Petraeus. "It’s about embedding Saudi Arabia into the U.S. defense industrial base. That changes everything — from supply chains to deterrence posture."The Black-Tie Dinner and the Unspoken Tensions
The evening’s black-tie dinner in the East Room, attended by senior U.S. officials and Saudi ministers, was a spectacle of diplomacy. Melania Trump, born in Slovenia, hosted with quiet grace. But the mood wasn’t all champagne and smiles. Human rights advocates, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, issued joint statements condemning the visit as "a moral compromise." The closed-door lunch, which lasted over two hours, reportedly included heated exchanges on Saudi detention practices and the treatment of women’s rights activists. Still, the White House insists the conversation was "results-driven." One senior aide noted, "You don’t fix 50 years of regional conflict by lecturing. You fix it by offering something better."
What’s Next? The Clock Is Ticking
No formal announcements were made, and no deadlines were set. But insiders say the window is narrow. Trump’s second term ends in January 2029, and the next U.S. president may not share his urgency. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is racing to diversify its economy before oil demand peaks — and it needs U.S. tech and security guarantees to do it. The next major milestone? A joint statement expected by December 15, 2025, outlining the framework for Palestinian statehood negotiations. If that happens, the Abraham Accords will expand to include Saudi Arabia — the most powerful Arab state yet — and the Middle East’s geopolitical map will redraw overnight.Why This Matters to You
Even if you’re not in the Middle East, this deal affects you. More Saudi investment means more U.S. jobs in tech and manufacturing. F-35 exports could lower defense costs for American taxpayers through shared production. And if peace takes root, global oil prices could stabilize — bringing down gas prices at the pump. But there’s a trade-off. Critics warn that legitimizing MBS without accountability erodes U.S. moral authority. Supporters argue that in geopolitics, perfect justice doesn’t exist — only strategic progress.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Saudi Arabia’s entry into the Abraham Accords such a big deal?
Saudi Arabia is the most influential Arab nation and custodian of Islam’s holiest sites. Its inclusion would legitimize Israel’s regional acceptance on an unprecedented scale, potentially isolating Iran and reducing the likelihood of future conflicts. It would also unlock billions in joint investment and security cooperation between Israel and Gulf states — something no previous Accords member has achieved.
What’s the status of the $600 billion in Saudi investments?
Only about $170 billion has been formally committed and deployed since 2019. The rest remains in pledges, tied to U.S. regulatory approvals and political stability. The November 2025 meeting aimed to convert those pledges into binding contracts, particularly in AI, defense, and clean energy sectors. If fulfilled, this would be the largest foreign investment in U.S. infrastructure since the Marshall Plan.
Will the U.S. sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia?
Yes — but with heavy restrictions. The Pentagon is preparing a modified version of the F-35 with limited electronic warfare capabilities and no nuclear strike compatibility. The sale requires congressional approval, and lawmakers are divided. Some fear enabling Saudi strikes in Yemen; others argue it’s essential for regional deterrence against Iran.
How does this affect U.S.-Israel relations?
Israel sees this as a major win — but only if Palestinian statehood becomes real. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has privately warned that without progress on Gaza’s postwar governance, Saudi normalization could backfire, fueling Arab anger. The U.S. is walking a tightrope: pushing Israel to make concessions without appearing to force them.
What role did Jared Kushner play in this meeting?
Though no longer in government, Kushner was reportedly consulted by Trump ahead of the visit. His 2020 Abraham Accords framework remains the blueprint, and he advised on how to structure the Palestinian statehood proposal to make it palatable to both Riyadh and Jerusalem. His behind-the-scenes influence underscores how personal diplomacy still shapes U.S. foreign policy.
Is this deal likely to survive beyond Trump’s presidency?
It depends on who wins in 2028. Democrats have historically been more skeptical of Saudi leadership, especially on human rights. But the economic and security stakes are so high — and the investments already flowing — that even a Democratic administration would likely preserve core elements. The real threat is delay: if the Palestinian framework isn’t signed by early 2027, Saudi Arabia may walk away.
