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Donald Trump sparks awkward moment at Saudi forum with jibe then praise for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman while vowing to curb Iran and protect Saudi Arabia.
US President Donald Trump at an event in Miami, Florida. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump created an uncomfortable moment at a Saudi-backed investment forum after making controversial remarks about Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his speech.
Speaking at the high-profile event attended by global business leaders and policymakers, Trump appeared to take a dig at the Saudi leader, suggesting he had misjudged him. “He did not think this was going to happen. He didn’t think he would be kissing my a**… he thought I would be just another American president of a country going downhill. But now he has to be nice to me,” Trump said in comments that quickly went viral.
The remark reportedly left sections of the audience surprised, given the diplomatic nature of the forum, which is aimed at strengthening economic ties and promoting investment in Saudi Arabia.
However, Trump later softened his tone while referring to the Crown Prince, describing him in more positive terms. “But you know he (Crown Prince Salman) is a smart, a very regular kind of a guy. He said an year ago, you were a dead country and now you are literally the hottest coutry anywhere in the world. And that was before we beat the hell out of Iran,” he added.
The forum, organised by a body linked to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, serves as a platform to attract global investors and showcase economic opportunities in the kingdom.
During his address, Trump also spoke at length about the West Asia situation, particularly tensions with Iran. He claimed that the region could soon be free from what he described as Iranian aggression. “We’re closer than ever to the rise of the Middle East that is finally free, at last, from Iranian terror aggression and nuclear blackmail,” he said. “For 47 years, Iran has been known as the bully of the Middle East, but they are not the bully any longer. They’re on the run.”
Referring to recent developments, Trump added, “We saved not just Israel, we saved the Middle East and it was proven by all those rockets that fired down upon you. Saudi Arabia got hit a lot.”
His comments come amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, with Washington recently extending the deadline for talks while delaying potential strikes on Iranian infrastructure.
Reports also suggest that Saudi Arabia has been engaging closely with the US, encouraging continued pressure on Iran and viewing the situation as a key moment to reshape regional dynamics.
At the same time, the conflict has increased risks for Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, which has faced retaliatory threats. Iranian strikes have reportedly targeted major energy facilities such as the Ras Tanura refinery and the Shaybah oil field, both critical to the kingdom’s oil production.
The incident highlights the delicate balance between diplomacy and rhetoric at a time when geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain high.
March 28, 2026, 7:48 PM IST
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