Chicago Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Contents
Trump Begins Diplomatic Tour in Middle East with High-Profile Allies
US President Donald Trump has kicked off the first major diplomatic trip of his second term, starting in Saudi Arabia. He is accompanied by key figures including Elon Musk and other high-profile tech leaders.
Hosted by Saudi Crown Prince
- Trump is being welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- A grand lunch at Riyadh’s royal court is part of the welcome ceremony.
Goals of the Four-Day Trip
- The tour includes visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
- Primary focus: Attracting large-scale investments into the US economy.
- There is speculation of a potential $100 billion arms deal being negotiated.
Notable Attendees at Riyadh Lunch
- Elon Musk, head of Tesla and Trump adviser
- Executives from OpenAI and Nvidia
- Senior Saudi and US officials
No Stop in Israel
- Trump’s itinerary excludes Israel, despite lobbying efforts from the Israeli government.
- Focus remains economic, rather than on diplomacy or security matters.
- Discussions on Gaza and the ongoing war have been left out of the trip so far.
Arab Leaders Urge Humanitarian Action
- According to international correspondent Lyse Doucet, regional leaders are expected to urge Trump to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Key Moments from the Trip (So Far)
- Trump arrived in Riyadh aboard Air Force One, escorted by Saudi fighter jets.
- Handshakes exchanged with Crown Prince bin Salman and VIP guests.
- Trump will next attend a Saudi-US investment forum, followed by a lavish state dinner.
