Saudi Arabia has welcomed the US President Donald Trump with a royal welcome when he arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. The King Salman himself came to the airport to greet president Trump while he comes down from Air Force One, a rare happening and could not be recollected to have happened in the past. Then, men on horses bearing both Saudi Arabian and American flags escorted President Trump’s car to the Royal Palace where the King Salman greeted the American President and the first lady and walked them to the palace. President Trump was later bestowed with the Kingdom’s highest civilian honor by the king.

The arrival ceremony was filled with trumpets blaring, canons booming, and fighter jets streaking overhead trailed by red, white and blue contrails shows a marked change in stance from Saudi Arabian sides towards the US President, who has been critical of Saudi Arabia during his election campaign and said during the Presidency that the United States should not provide free rides to Saudi Arabia in terms of guaranteeing its security. The Saudis treated him like royalty, with red carpets, lavish meals and American flags flying everywhere looking to bolster ties with the United States that came under strain during the Obama administration over the Iran nuclear accord. They repeatedly used the word “historic” to describe his visit, projected a multistory image of his face on the side of the palatial Ritz-Carlton hotel where he was staying, and treated him to a colorful dance display in which his staff joined in with scores of white-robed Saudis and even the president swayed back and forth. Saudi Arabia, despite President Trump’s criticism cherish him more than his predecessor as he took a much tougher stance towards Iran compared to President Obama.

Later, President Trump and King Salman signed an arms deal worth $110 billion.

Here are the links to several YouTube videos showing the royal welcome,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft3xM6p5GJI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ8uAhRy3T4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKtCCOigy9s