Trump Gets a Gold Medal as Welcome From Saudi King
Flanked by Saudi military personnel standing at attention
and alternating Saudi and American flags, Mr. Trump and the king exchanged a brief handshake and a few pleasantries as trumpets blared, cannons boomed and seven Saudi jets streaked through the sky, streaming red, white and blue smoke.
Mr. Trump is scheduled to meet first with King Salman and other Saudi royals, but there are no news conferences planned during his visit here.
By MICHAEL D. SHEAR and PETER BAKERMAY 20, 2017
CreditStephen Crowley/The New York Times RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Trump touched down in this Middle Eastern kingdom on Saturday morning as he sought to escape, if just briefly, the scandals
and the chaos that have engulfed his administration back home.
Last year, Mr. Obama visited Saudi Arabia for meetings with King Salman and Gulf leaders, but the king did not meet him on the airport’s tarmac.
Huge billboards around the city featured Mr. Trump and King Salman, while the city’s roads were lined with alternating American and Saudi flags.
During his two-day visit, Mr. Trump is expected to announce a $100 billion-plus arms deal with Saudi
Arabia as evidence of a renewed commitment by the United States to the security of the Gulf region.
For Mr. Trump, the warm embrace by the Saudi monarchy is a welcome break from the cascade of bad news in Washington.
Mr. President, your visit will strengthen our strategic cooperation, lead to global security
and stability." Later, the king placed a gold medal, Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honor, around Mr. Trump’s neck.
On Twitter, King Salman posted a message on Saturday: "We welcome @POTUS Trump to KSA.