‘Kissing my ass’: In the face of Trump’s humiliation, can MBS respond?
The U.S. president’s remarks regarding the Saudi crown prince drew no response from the kingdom, which is compelled to maintain its alliance with Washington in the face of the Iranian threat.
US President Donald Trump speaks during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Credit: Mandel Ngan / AFP)
The affront left the kingdom silent but was widely discussed around the world. During a speech on March 27 at the FII Priority forum, in front of an audience of international investors, including Saudis, in Miami, Donald Trump mocked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) with the vulgarity that has become his trademark. After praising the ties built over the years with this “great man” who de facto leads the oil monarchy, the U.S. president recounted a private conversation between the two:“A short time ago, we were together, and he looked at me and he said, ‘You know, it’s amazing. One year ago, you were a dead country. Now you’re the hottest country anywhere in the world’,” Trump said. “He didn’t think this was going to happen. He didn’t think he’d be kissing my ass.” “He thought he’d be just another American president that was a...
The affront left the kingdom silent but was widely discussed around the world. During a speech on March 27 at the FII Priority forum, in front of an audience of international investors, including Saudis, in Miami, Donald Trump mocked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) with the vulgarity that has become his trademark. After praising the ties built over the years with this “great man” who de facto leads the oil monarchy, the U.S. president recounted a private conversation between the two:“A short time ago, we were together, and he looked at me and he said, ‘You know, it’s amazing. One year ago, you were a dead country. Now you’re the hottest country anywhere in the world’,” Trump said. “He didn’t think this was going to happen. He didn’t think he’d be kissing my ass.” “He thought he’d be just another...
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