Trump Defends Saudi Crown Prince and Greenlights Massive F-35 Stealth Jet Sale
London, UK – November 20, 2025
The Geopolitical Gambit: Trump Defends Saudi Crown Prince and Greenlights Massive F-35 Stealth Jet Sale
In a powerful demonstration of shifting American foreign policy priorities, President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) this week, not only defending the de facto Saudi ruler against past controversies but also announcing the massive sale of advanced US-made F-35 stealth jets to the Kingdom.
This high-stakes visit and the accompanying geopolitical gambit solidify Riyadh’s rehabilitation on the world stage, elevating strategic and economic ties above human rights concerns and dramatically reshaping the future military balance of power in the Middle East.
The sale of the F-35, a crown jewel of US military technology, to Saudi Arabia marks a historical shift and is a direct consequence of the Kingdom’s pledge to increase its US investments to nearly $1 trillion.
A White House Welcome and a Controversial Defense
The Crown Prince’s first White House visit since 2018 was met with considerable pomp, including a military fanfare, an honor guard, and a lavish dinner attended by CEOs and global figures. This reception itself signaled a significant victory for the Saudi leader, who had previously been labeled a “pariah” by some international politicians following the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
During their Oval Office meeting, President Trump publicly defended Prince Mohammed bin Salman against the fallout from the Khashoggi murder, an event that US intelligence agencies had previously implicated the Crown Prince in approving.
Trump firmly stated, “He knew nothing about it,” and casually remarked that “things happen” in the world, completely dismissing the human rights controversy that has dogged the Saudi leader for years. The President’s staunch defense was widely seen as a complete political rehabilitation for MBS in Washington, positioning him as an indispensable partner for US interests in the region.
The Historic F-35 Deal: Shifting the Military Balance
The centerpiece of the bilateral agreements, however, was President Trump’s formal approval of the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
The F-35, primarily manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is considered the world’s most advanced fighter jet, equipped with stealth technology that allows it to evade enemy radar. Up until this announcement, Israel was the only country in the Middle East to operate the aircraft, providing it with what the US has long referred to as a “Qualitative Military Edge” (QME).
The decision to sell the F-35s to Riyadh, a highly coveted piece of military hardware costing around $80 million to $110 million per unit, is deeply controversial. It has faced internal resistance within the Pentagon and has raised serious concerns in Israel, which fears its regional air superiority will be jeopardized. Furthermore, the deal has prompted warnings from administration officials and intelligence assessments regarding the risk of China—a close trading and investment partner of Saudi Arabia—gaining access to the advanced US technology behind the complex weapon system.
President Trump, however, brushed aside these security and strategic concerns, stating that both Saudi Arabia and Israel are now “at a level where they should get top of the line” equipment.
He assured reporters that Israel was “aware and they’re going to be very happy,” suggesting that compensatory measures, or a similar F-35 arrangement to the one Israel currently holds, have been reached to mitigate the loss of their exclusive access to the technology.
An Economic Alliance Above All Else
The military deal is inextricably linked to the significant economic commitments made by Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince announced that the Kingdom plans to increase its massive planned investments in the US from the previously stated $600 billion to almost $1 trillion.
These funds are earmarked for investments across various American industries, including critical technology sectors like artificial intelligence (AI) chips and infrastructure, as well as the purchase of jet engines and military equipment.
The focus on economic leverage and shared strategic interests—namely countering the influence of Iran in the region and maintaining global oil market stability—has clearly superseded diplomatic norms.
By leveraging his country’s immense wealth and stating that any US hesitation would lead Riyadh to deepen military and technology ties with China, Prince Mohammed bin Salman successfully elevated the stakes and made himself essential to the current administration’s global strategy.
The sale of the F-35s, therefore, is viewed as the ultimate seal of approval on a strategic partnership defined by massive investment and a unified front against shared rivals.
Headline Points
President Defends MBS:
President Trump publicly defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the Khashoggi killing during a high-profile White House visit, dismissing the long-standing controversy.
F-35 Sale Greenlighted:
The US administration announced the approval of the sale of advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, making it only the second Middle Eastern nation, after Israel, to receive the aircraft.
Massive Investment Pledge:
The Crown Prince pledged to increase Saudi Arabia’s planned investments in the United States to nearly $1 trillion, focusing on technology, AI, and military purchases.
* Regional Shift: The F-35 sale marks a historic shift in the military balance of power in the Middle East and highlights the Trump administration’s prioritization of strategic and economic ties over human rights concerns.
