May 21, 2017 - Politics & Policy

Trump's Saudi visit draws to a close

President Trump, pictured above with Egyptian President el-Sisi (L) and King Salman of Saudi Arabia at the opening of the Global Center for Combatting Extremist Ideology, has skipped the final item on his agenda in Saudi Arabia — a keynote address at the "Tweeps 2017" forum on using social media to combat extremism. Ivanka Trump appeared in her father's place.

  • Saudi Arabia was Trump's first foreign stop as president, and he received a warm welcome — including an airport greeting from King Salman and an invitation to take part in a traditional sword dance.
  • What the White House is saying, per the Washington Post's Philip Rucker: "Words senior White House officials used tonight to sum up Saudi leg of trip- "Historic," "ambitious," "action," "tough," "exhausted."
  • Next stop: Israel. Follow along with the itinerary of the 8 day trip using this helpful card deck.
Go deeper