Trump Arrives in Saudi Arabia to Fighter Jet Escort, Greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia —  U.S. President Donald Trump touched down in the Saudi capital on Tuesday morning, receiving a dramatic welcome as six Saudi F-15 fighter jets flanked Air Force One through the final leg of its descent into Riyadh.

According to journalists travelling aboard the aircraft, the jets flew in close formation — three on each side — for approximately 30 minutes.

Trump’s deputy chief of staff, Dan Scavino, shared video footage of the escort on social media, thanking the Saudi government for the show of support.

“Thank you for the escort, and for having President Trump’s back—We all appreciate it. See you on the ground shortly, THANK YOU!!!” he wrote on X.

Trump exited the plane with a fist pump before being met by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the tarmac.

The crown prince personally accompanied the former president along a lavender carpet leading to a reception hall, where the two participated in a traditional coffee ceremony.

Joining Trump on the high-profile trip are key cabinet figures, including Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

In anticipation of the visit, the streets of Riyadh were lined with American flags, and mobile billboards advertised major regional developments, including the newly announced Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi.

Trump’s agenda for Tuesday includes a keynote address at an investor forum expected to feature tech leaders such as Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Openai CEO Sam Altman. Later in the day, he is scheduled to attend a state dinner hosted by Saudi leadership.

This visit marks the first stop of Trump’s three-nation Middle East tour, which will also take him to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The trip’s primary goal is to attract foreign investment into the United States.