Donald Trump had the audience at the US-Saudi Investment Forum laughing on Wednesday as he made light of cultural differences between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to Saudi business and political leaders, the former president joked about how the kingdom “doesn’t have transgender or liberal people” like in America, drawing hearty laughs from the crowd.
Trump leaned into the contrast, insisting that many “woke” ideas in the U.S. would be unimaginable to Saudis.
“A lot of the Saudis are sitting here saying, ‘What the hell is he talking about transitioning?’ They don’t do a lot of transitioning,” he chuckled.
He went further, calling U.S. supporters of transgender rights “crazy,” while boasting that the concept of “woke” is now “virtually illegal” under his administration.
Trump Hails MBS as ‘Most Respected Man in the Room’
The remarks came after a warm White House reception for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on Tuesday, which drew criticism from some quarters.
At the forum, Trump continued to lavish praise on MBS, calling him the “most respected man in the room” and saying he had mentioned the Crown Prince’s name hundreds of times in speeches reflecting on the administration’s first year.
The former president’s remarks on cultural norms in Saudi Arabia highlighted the kingdom’s strict social codes.
While transgender expression is criminalized under Sharia-based laws, Trump used the point to underline what he described as America’s overreach on “woke” policies.
Trump Takes Aim at American Liberals and Progressives
Not stopping at cultural commentary, Trump took aim at political opponents, claiming that Democrats have co-opted the term “progressive” to replace “liberal,” which he said doesn’t exist in Saudi Arabia.
“You can’t use ‘liberal,’ you have to use the word ‘progressive,’” he said.
“And I don’t like using it. It’s a beautiful word, ‘progressive.’
Progressive – that’s not them. They’re regressive.”
The former president also touched on AI legislation, suggesting that a single federal approval is necessary to avoid what he described as “woke” interference from individual states.
“50 states is a disaster because you’ll have one woke state, and you’ll have to do all woke,” Trump said.
Controversy Lingers Over Khashoggi Comments
Trump’s visit has reignited criticism over his defense of MBS regarding the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
On Tuesday, he dismissed concerns about Saudi involvement, calling Khashoggi “extremely controversial” and claiming MBS “knew nothing about” the killing.
Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist and Saudi dissident, was strangled and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018, according to international investigators.
The CIA concluded that bin Salman ordered the assassination, a finding Trump disputes.
Strategic Partnership Deepens with F-35 Deal
In addition to diplomatic pleasantries, the U.S. designated Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally, a strategic move intended to strengthen defense cooperation.
Trump announced that the U.S. will sell cutting-edge F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, making the kingdom the first Middle Eastern nation aside from Israel to receive the advanced warplanes.
The move signals a deepening of military and political ties, despite ongoing controversy over human rights concerns.
Trump’s Saudi Visit Raises Eyebrows at Home
From jokes about American culture to defense contracts and contentious remarks on human rights, Trump’s time with Saudi leaders has drawn sharp reactions in Washington.
Critics have expressed concern over the casual tone he took regarding Khashoggi’s murder and the praise lavished on MBS, while supporters point to strengthened economic and defense partnerships.
As Trump continues to cultivate international relationships and highlight his “woke-free” America, the world is watching how these bold statements will reverberate both abroad and at home.
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