The arrival of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday was marked by a striking contrast to previous encounters. President Donald Trump extended a firm handshake, a deliberate gesture signaling a return to traditional diplomatic protocol.
This warm greeting stood in stark opposition to President Joe Biden’s 2022 interaction with the prince, a moment captured by a simple fist bump during a visit to Saudi Arabia. That gesture immediately drew criticism, shadowed by lingering questions surrounding the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Trump directly addressed the difference in approach, stating his preference for a handshake when welcoming a leader he described as “one of the most respected people in the world.” He dismissed the fist bump as inadequate for such a significant diplomatic occasion.
The Saudi prince’s arrival was steeped in formality. A vibrant red carpet unfurled across the South Lawn, accompanied by a military honor guard and a dramatic flyover by the Air Force – a clear indication of a state-level welcome.
Biden’s 2022 fist bump, occurring outside the Al Salam Royal Palace in Jeddah, was followed by attempts to downplay the significance of the interaction. He later stated he had directly told bin Salman he believed the prince was responsible for Khashoggi’s death.
The earlier gesture was widely condemned, with some, like former Washington Post publisher Fred Ryan, arguing it was more damaging than a handshake. Ryan characterized it as offering unwarranted redemption to the prince.
U.S. intelligence agencies released a report in 2021 concluding that bin Salman had approved the operation that led to Khashoggi’s brutal murder in Istanbul in 2018. The Saudi dissident was killed within the walls of the Saudi consulate.
Despite these findings, bin Salman has consistently denied involvement. When questioned about Khashoggi’s death on Tuesday, he expressed sorrow over the loss of life and pledged efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Trump swiftly defended bin Salman, rebuking a reporter who raised the issue of U.S. intelligence reports. He suggested the question was disrespectful to their guest and asserted the prince had no knowledge of the events surrounding Khashoggi’s death.
The differing approaches highlight a clear divergence in diplomatic styles and a complex relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, one fraught with geopolitical considerations and the weight of past events.
