U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in Washington on November 18, 2025, highlighting a $1 trillion investment pledge by Saudi Arabia in the United States and discussions on a potential sale of F-35 fighter jets. The visit marked MBS’s first U.S. trip since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an event that continues to cast a shadow over U.S.-Saudi relations.

The White House announced that the trillion-dollar pledge builds on Saudi Arabia’s prior $600 billion investment commitment, though details on timing and execution remain unclear. Economists caution that such pledges, equivalent to nearly Saudi Arabia’s entire 2023 GDP, may not materialize immediately.

Trump and MBS also discussed the potential purchase of up to 48 F-35 stealth fighter jets, though no formal agreements or delivery timelines were confirmed. Analysts note that such a sale could trigger controversy in Washington, given Israel’s exclusive F-35 status in the Middle East and concerns over regional military balance. U.S. lawmakers may scrutinize any deal under Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge laws, while analysts stress that Saudi-Israel normalization would likely be a prerequisite for transferring the advanced jets.

Despite skepticism, Trump emphasized strengthening U.S.-Saudi defense ties, calling both countries “great allies,” while experts underline that translating announcements into actual investments or defense deliveries involves a complex and lengthy process.