Donald Trump Jr. Slams ‘No Kings’ Protesters at Saudi Business Summit/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump Jr., speaking at Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative, mocked “No Kings” protests in the U.S. He praised his father’s business-first foreign policy and criticized Democratic leadership and protestors. His remarks come amid growing concerns over authoritarianism during President Trump’s second term.
Trump Jr. in Saudi Arabia + Quick Looks:
- Mocked ‘No Kings’ U.S. Protests as “manufactured” and “paid for by puppets.”
- Praised Donald Trump’s Mideast policy, saying it created economic opportunities and stability.
- First visit to Saudi Arabia for Trump Jr., aligning with rising business ties.
- Criticized protesters’ appearance, saying they were “older and fatter liberals.”
- Discussed U.S.-Saudi relations, saying both nations benefit from “first” approaches.
- Made comments in an absolute monarchy, where dissent is criminalized.
- Trump’s second term policy includes sending troops to U.S. cities and accepting private military funding.
- Future Investment Initiative hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman continues Vision 2030 goals.
Donald Trump Jr. Dismisses ‘No Kings’ Protests, Defends Father’s Mideast Strategy at Saudi Business Summit
Deep Look
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Oct. 29, 2025) — During a high-profile appearance at Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative on Wednesday, Donald Trump Jr. criticized U.S. protest movements and praised his father’s approach to diplomacy and business in the Middle East.
Speaking to a crowd of Saudi officials and international business leaders, Trump Jr. mocked recent “No Kings” protests that have taken place across the United States, describing them as staged and politically driven. The demonstrations, which drew tens of thousands in multiple cities, were sparked by concerns over the ongoing government shutdown and perceived erosion of democratic checks on presidential power.
“It’s not an organic movement,” Trump Jr. said. “It’s entirely manufactured and paid for by the usual puppets around the world and their groups.”
He added dismissively, “If my father were a king, he probably wouldn’t have allowed those protests to happen,” before jabbing at demonstrators’ appearances, calling them “the same crazy liberals from the ‘60s and ’70s — just older and fatter.”
His remarks drew laughs and applause from parts of the audience, though they also raised eyebrows given the setting: Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy where political dissent is criminalized and free speech is tightly restricted.
Defending “America First” in the Gulf
Trump Jr. spoke during a panel alongside Omeed Malik, CEO of investment firm 1789 Capital, where Trump is both an investor and active in its strategic partnerships. The discussion, part of a broader conversation on global investment and stability, touched on the role of U.S. policy in the Middle East — especially under President Donald Trump’s current second term.
Trump Jr. praised his father’s direct, economy-driven approach to the region, contrasting it with what he labeled “apology tours” by past U.S. presidents.
“When my father came here, unlike the last presidents who visited, it wasn’t about apologizing,” he said. “It was, ‘How do we work together? How do we grow our economies? How do we ensure peace and stability?’”
He added, “There can be an ‘America First’ component to that — and there can be a ‘Saudi First’ component too. Everyone benefits.”
A Familiar Setting, a First-Time Visit
Though the Trump family has long had business ties to the Gulf region, Trump Jr. acknowledged this was his first trip to Saudi Arabia. The Future Investment Initiative, often referred to as “Davos in the Desert,” was launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to attract global investment and rebrand the kingdom’s image under its Vision 2030 development plan.
The crown prince hosted President Trump earlier this year during his regional tour, which included stops in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. The Trump administration has maintained a close relationship with the Saudi monarchy, despite international criticism following the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul.
Trump Jr. avoided commenting directly on the crown prince or Khashoggi’s death, instead focusing on economic cooperation and criticizing Democratic Party policies back in the United States.
Mocking Protests Amid Shutdown Turmoil
The “No Kings” movement, the latest in a string of mass demonstrations since Trump’s 2024 reelection, gained momentum as frustrations mounted over the now multi-week government shutdown. Protesters argue that Trump’s consolidation of executive power — including unilateral military spending, private fundraising for federal functions, and efforts to undermine Congress — threatens the constitutional balance.
But Trump Jr. dismissed those concerns outright.
“These protests are theater, not revolution,” he claimed. “They’re trying to paint leadership as tyranny because they don’t like who’s leading.”
His remarks come as his father continues to assert wide-ranging presidential authority — including sending National Guard troops to U.S. cities without state consent and accepting private donations for military payroll during the funding deadlock.
Critics have called such moves undemocratic, while supporters see them as bold responses to gridlock and partisanship.
UP NEXT: Crown Prince Mohammed is expected to visit Washington, D.C. next month for meetings with Trump administration officials, further strengthening ties between the two nations.
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