First Lady Melania Trump drew attention at the White House on November 18, 2025, by wearing an emerald green gown that mirrored the colors of the Saudi Arabian flag. The attire was chosen for a formal dinner welcoming Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on his first U.S. visit in seven years.
The strapless dress, created by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, featured a metallic finish and extensive pleating. Stylist Hervé Pierre confirmed the gown was purchased off the rack, and Saab’s press manager noted the designer was not pre-informed about its use at the event. The dress is from Saab’s pre-autumn 2025 collection, retailing at $3,350 at stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. When questioned about the dress’s significance, Pierre offered no comment. The choice of designer gained attention as Saab had conducted a significant fashion show in Riyadh the prior year.
Melania Trump complemented the gown with black Manolo Blahnik pumps, white diamond earrings, and a ring, while choosing not to wear a necklace to highlight the dress’s design.
This dinner was the first such formal event hosted by President Donald Trump in his second term. Held in the East Room, the event was attended by 120 guests, including 30 from the Saudi delegation. The occasion featured a military flyover, cannon salutes, and a display of American and Saudi flags at the White House.
Notable guests included Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Fox News anchors Maria Bartiromo and Bret Baier, golfer Bryson DeChambeau, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese soccer star playing for Saudi club Al Nassr, was also present. Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in late 2022 with a contract reportedly worth $200 million annually and extended his deal by two more years in June.
President Trump introduced Ronaldo to his 19-year-old son Barron during his speech. “My son is a big fan of Ronaldo,” Trump remarked, noting Barron’s increased respect for him after meeting Ronaldo. Ronaldo has supported Saudi Arabia’s successful 2034 World Cup bid, with Al-Nassr being majority-owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, chaired by the crown prince. Portugal qualified for the 2026 World Cup, where Ronaldo will compete in his sixth World Cup, starting June 11, 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The crown prince’s visit included significant business announcements. In an Oval Office meeting, he revealed plans to increase Saudi investment in the U.S. from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion. President Trump also announced the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. A senior official mentioned upcoming announcements on Saudi investments in artificial intelligence, civil nuclear energy cooperation, and defense sales.
The visit was controversial due to the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The CIA concluded the crown prince ordered the operation. A 2021 intelligence report stated the crown prince approved the operation, viewing Khashoggi as a threat.
When questioned about Khashoggi’s death, Trump defended the crown prince, stating, “Things happen, but he knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that.” The crown prince denied ordering the murder but acknowledged responsibility as the kingdom’s leader, expressing regret over the incident and improvements made to prevent future occurrences.
The Trump family’s business ties with Saudi Arabia remain significant, with announced plans for projects in Jeddah and Riyadh. Jared Kushner, Trump’s former adviser and son-in-law, reportedly received a $2 billion investment from a Saudi fund controlled by the crown prince. Trump is set to attend a Saudi business summit at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., focusing on enhancing economic and defense relations.
