The week began with a striking display of diplomacy as former President Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House. A red carpet, military honors, and an Air Force flyover underscored the significance of the visit, signaling a shift in U.S.-Saudi relations.
During the visit, a substantial defense agreement was reached, paving the way for the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and designating the nation as a “major non-NATO ally.” This move represents a clear departure from previous administrations, notably the Biden administration’s pledge to treat Saudi Arabia as a “pariah” following the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The shadow of Khashoggi’s murder loomed over the meeting, yet Trump swiftly defended the Crown Prince when questioned by a reporter. He dismissed concerns raised by U.S. intelligence agencies linking bin Salman to the assassination, urging the reporter not to “embarrass our guest.”
Bin Salman himself acknowledged the tragedy, stating it was “painful” to hear of any death without purpose and affirming a commitment to prevent similar incidents. Despite past reports, he continues to deny any involvement in Khashoggi’s death.
The week concluded with a surprising encounter between the former President and New York City’s newly elected Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Despite Mamdani’s prior labeling of Trump as a “despot,” the two appeared amicable and discussed potential collaboration on issues of affordability and city improvement.
Trump downplayed the earlier criticism, stating he’d been called worse and anticipated a productive working relationship. He even offered a pledge of support, promising to be “a big help” to the new mayor as he navigates the challenges of leading New York City.
Amidst these high-profile meetings, Trump also signed legislation compelling the Justice Department to release files related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. This action followed months of pressure from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
The former President emphasized his own initiative in pushing for the release, claiming his request led to near-unanimous support in Congress. He also contrasted his actions with the previous administration, alleging they had not released a single document related to Epstein.
The Justice Department had already provided approximately fifty thousand pages of documents to Congress prior to the bill’s passage. Trump maintained he had “nothing to hide” and welcomed the transparency surrounding the case.
The release of these files marks a significant development in a case that has captivated public attention for years, promising to reveal further details about Epstein’s network and alleged crimes.
