Trump Strengthens US-Saudi Ties Amid Controversy

President Trump announced that he will designate Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, marking a significant step up in defense ties between the US and the Gulf monarchy. The move comes after the two leaders signed a new strategic defense deal and Trump agreed to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The designation could lead to further collaboration between the two countries' militaries and easier access to US-made military equipment. The decision has been met with controversy due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record and the country's involvement in the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump downplayed the incident, stating that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman 'knew nothing' about the killing.

President Trump announced that the US will get involved in efforts to strike peace in Sudan amid an ongoing civil war, at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. The conflict in Sudan has resulted in a staggering humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced, famine, and claims of genocide. The US has been working with international partners, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, to broker an end to the war. Trump's announcement was met with applause at the US-Saudi Investment Forum. The move highlights MBS' influence on Trump and the strong relationship between the two leaders, despite controversy surrounding MBS' human rights record.

Mark Epstein, the brother of Jeffrey Epstein, spoke to CNN's Erin Burnett about his brother's friendship with Donald Trump and their subsequent falling out. The White House remains silent on when President Trump will sign a bill to release the Epstein files. Mark Epstein suggested that there may be information in the files that the administration does not want to be made public.

The article discusses the changes in U.S.-Saudi relations since the killing of Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. It highlights the strained ties between the two countries after the incident and how they have rebounded during Trump's second term. The article provides a timeline of key events, including Trump's visits to Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman's visits to the White House, and the CIA's conclusion that the crown prince ordered Khashoggi's assassination. Despite the backlash, Trump continued to support the Saudi kingdom, and the relationship has strengthened since Biden's presidency.