The Standard Journal

Saudis welcome Trump with gold medal

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Donald Trump basked in Saudi Arabia’s lavish royal welcome Saturday as he left behind, at least temporaril­y, the snowballin­g controvers­ies dogging him i n Washington. Trump rewarded his hosts with a $110 billion arms package aimed at bolstering Saudi security and a slew of business agreements.

“That was a tremendous day, tremendous investment­s in the United States,” Trump said dur- in ga meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef.

The visit to the kingdom’s capital kicked off Trump’s first foreign trip as president, an ambitious, five-stop swing that will take him through the Middle East and into Europe. Heist he only American president to make Saudi Arabia — or any Muslim-majority nation — his first overseas trip.

Trump arrived in Riyadh besieged by the fallout from his firing of FBI Director James Comey and more revelation­s about the federal investigat­ions into his election campaign’s possible ties t o Russia. Escaping Washington for the embrace of the Saudi royal family appeared to give Trump a boost.

After an overnight flight, the president was greeted at the airport by King Salman, which was notable given that the monarch did not show up last year to welcome President Barack Obama on his final visit to Saudi Arabia.

Trump descended the steps alongside first lady Melania Trump, who wore a black pantsuit and gold belt, but did not cover her hair in the ultraconse­rvative kingdom, in keeping with the traditions of Western delegation­s.

As Trump and t he 81-year-old king, who was aided by a cane, walked along the red carpet, military jets swept the sky, leaving a red, white and blue trail.

During a ceremony at the grand Saudi Royal Court, Salman awarded Trump the Collar of Abdulaziz al Saud, the kingdom’s highest civilian honor.

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