Trump Praises Saudi Ties, Skips Human Rights Talk \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ During a high-profile investment forum in Riyadh, President Donald Trump denounced past U.S. interference in Gulf nations, signaling a shift in foreign policy away from promoting human rights. His remarks were welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but dismayed exiled Saudi dissidents and rights advocates. Critics say the speech reflects a growing U.S. silence on repression abroad amid Trump’s deeper ties with Gulf leaders.
Quick Looks
- Trump denounced U.S. “lectures” to Gulf nations in Riyadh speech.
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sat front-row during the address.
- Exiled Saudi activists say Trump’s words signaled abandonment of human rights.
- Saudi dissidents and families of detainees expressed fear and disappointment.
- Trump’s second-term foreign trip included Qatar and the UAE.
- Rights groups noted limited public criticism due to U.S. credibility issues.
- Trump did not publicly address detained Saudis or imprisoned activists.
- Advocates say U.S. deportations and Gaza policy weaken its moral stance.
- Prince Mohammed has released some dissidents, but many remain imprisoned.
- Trump family business ties to Gulf region raise ethical concerns.
Deep Look
Trump Embraces Saudi Prince While Human Rights Concerns Take Backseat
President Donald Trump’s recent speech in Riyadh has sparked concern among human rights advocates, dissidents, and observers of U.S. foreign policy. Addressing an elite audience at a major Saudi investment forum, Trump criticized prior American administrations for interfering in the internal affairs of Gulf nations, saying, “Gone are the days when we come here to lecture you.”
Sitting front and center was Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, who appeared to receive Trump’s message warmly. But for many Saudis living in exile and advocates for the imprisoned, the speech underscored a painful truth: The United States, once a vocal—if inconsistent—champion of global human rights, is stepping back from that role under Trump’s leadership.
A Message Received by Both Princes and Prisoners
The most attentive audience members weren’t just billionaires and Gulf royals, but exiles like Abdullah Alaoudh. His father, a popular Saudi cleric, has been jailed since Prince Mohammed’s initial crackdown on dissent. For Abdullah, Trump’s speech hit personally.
“He was speaking to the person who tortured my father,” Alaoudh said. “It was painful to see.”
Though the Saudi government has released some prisoners in recent years amid international pressure, thousands remain behind bars or under travel bans, including American citizens such as Saad Almadi, a 75-year-old imprisoned over tweets critical of the regime.
Muted Criticism from Rights Groups and Officials
While international human rights organizations raised quiet objections to the visit, they were notably restrained compared to previous U.S. presidential trips to autocratic nations. Some of this is attributed to modest human rights improvements in Saudi Arabia—particularly around women’s rights and economic reforms—but many argue the silence also reflects America’s own diminished moral authority.
Sarah Leah Whitson of Democracy in the Arab World Now, the nonprofit founded by slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi, noted that many Arab activists in the U.S. have gone silent, fearing deportation or retribution. She said her group now warns exiles to avoid travel and be cautious in their speech.
“There’s fear again,” Whitson said. “This is not the America they once looked to for protection.”
Trump Tightens Ties with MBS
Trump’s second-term approach to the Middle East differs starkly from that of his predecessors. While President Joe Biden initially vowed to make Saudi Arabia a “pariah” state over Khashoggi’s killing, economic and geopolitical pressures led him to eventually visit Riyadh.
Trump, by contrast, has enthusiastically embraced Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—often referred to as MBS—and deepened personal and financial ties. His adult sons are pursuing major real estate developments in the Gulf, and the president himself is courting investments into the U.S. from Saudi funds.
“It’s a love relationship between Trump and MBS,” said Ibrahim Almadi, whose father Saad remains stuck in Saudi Arabia under a travel ban.
Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Record: Mixed Progress
Since the global fallout from Khashoggi’s murder in 2018, Prince Mohammed has sought to rehabilitate his and his country’s image. While some reforms have advanced women’s rights and modernized the economy, the regime continues to imprison critics and suppress dissent.
Rights groups say thousands remain in detention or subject to exit bans, and due process remains elusive for many. Even those who have been released often face restrictions on speech, travel, and employment.
The situation remains particularly complex for dual nationals and dissidents living abroad, who risk surveillance or extradition attempts when speaking out.
Why America’s Silence Matters
Traditionally, the United States has used diplomatic visits to raise human rights issues, pressure authoritarian governments, and advocate for prisoners of conscience. Under Trump’s current approach, that role has nearly vanished.
According to State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, Trump’s discussions with Gulf leaders were “private.” The White House, when asked if the president had raised human rights during the visit, offered no direct answer.
Instead, administration officials framed the visit as a celebration of U.S.-Saudi partnership and regional peace initiatives. Critics argue that prioritizing business deals and diplomatic alliances over human rights enables autocratic leaders to continue abuses with impunity.
The Erosion of U.S. Moral Authority
Beyond the Middle East, advocates warn that the United States is losing credibility as a global watchdog for rights. Domestically, the Trump administration’s crackdowns on immigration, protests, and DEI programs have alarmed civil liberties groups.
Internationally, U.S. support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has drawn sharp rebuke. With tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians killed and humanitarian conditions deteriorating, the U.S. is increasingly seen as complicit in rights abuses, not just a critic of them.
“When the U.S. lectures another country now,” Whitson said, “it just doesn’t pass the laugh test.”
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