Trump vs. Saudi Crown Prince: Behind The Smiles, The Closed Door Fight The World Didn’t See | World News

Washington: A routine public meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) at the White House turned unexpectedly tense this month, according to Axios, citing several American officials familiar with the discussions. Frictions have arisen over the potential normalization of relations between Israel and Riyadh and Tel Aviv.

While Trump and MBS displayed a friendly and complimentary tone in public, their conversations behind closed doors were quite different. Sources said this was particularly tense due to the Abraham Accords, agreements that formalized ties between Israel and many Arab countries.

Officials said Trump was disappointed by Riyadh’s response, which fell short of his expectations.

During a public meeting at the White House, Trump stated that his initial discussions with MBS regarding normalizing relations between the Kingdom and Israel were positive. MBS reportedly acknowledged that he wanted his country to eventually join the Abraham Accords, but emphasized that any steps towards official recognition should be linked to a secure two-state solution with Palestine.

MBS reportedly became angry when Trump privately pressured the Crown Prince to include Saudi Arabia in the Accords. He made it clear that following the recent Israel-Hamas war, Saudi public opinion was overwhelmingly opposed to normalizing relations with Israel.

Three sources cited by Axios said the Crown Prince’s stance is firm. “The best way to describe it is frustration and anger. Trump really wants them to join the Abraham Accords. He tried many times. It was a cordial discussion. But Prince Salman is a strong leader. He stood his ground,” one of them said.

Saudis’ Normalization Conditions

MBS has set a clear condition for any potential normalization with Israel. He said Tel Aviv must first commit to establishing a Palestinian state with clearly defined and unchangeable borders, within a specific timeline.

“The real issue here is the two-state solution,” a US official told Axios.

The official added that Saudi Arabia has not outright rejected normalization and that the door is open to future discussions.

The White House emphasized that Trump’s goal is to ensure that all Middle Eastern countries join the Abraham Accords, especially after the end of the Gaza war and the declaration that Iran’s nuclear program has stopped.

The broader goal for Trump remains strategic: securing regional alliances and expanding the Abraham Accords as a tool for long-term stability.

But for now, Riyadh is signaling that any steps towards official recognition of Israel must first address its people’s deep concerns about Palestine.