Donald Trump Salutes Saudi Arabian Generals During Riyadh Visit
By Brendan Cole and Shane Croucher
President Donald Trump saluted Saudi Arabian generals as they lined up to greet him during his visit to Riyadh, the first stop in his four-day tour of the Middle East.
There has been a discussion in recent years about the proper etiquette for presidents saluting the military, particularly those from other nations.
A returned salute by Trump to a North Korean general during his first term sparked criticism, with some saying he should not have shown respect to a hostile nation. Others said it was courteous to return the gesture.
U.S. President Donald Trump salutes Saudi general
U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (not pictured) interact with officials during a “coffee ceremony” at the Saudi Royal Court on May 13, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Win McNamee/Getty Images
Why It Matters
The salute has not sparked the controversy that followed the emergence of video that showed the president saluting the North Korean general during his first term.
But it comes as Trump leads a large delegation of top officials from his administration and leaders in the business world, as he seeks to discuss peace in the Middle East and improving trade and investment.
What To Know
Trump arrived on Air Force One, which landed at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, shortly before 10 a.m. local time Tuesday for the first stop of a three-day tour that will also see him visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Trump was greeted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid the fanfare of a 21-gun salute and trumpets.
The leaders then headed to the Royal Court, where a procession of dignitaries, officials and business figures waited their turn to shake hands with them.
With the Saudi leader to his left, footage shows Trump meeting military officials who greet him with a salute as he returns the gesture.
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Social media users noted the warm welcome that Trump received, such as the X account Pino Americano which posted: "Saudi Generals greet President Trump with salutes and smiles. Everyone loves the G.O.A.T."
The immediate reaction on social media seemed positive, unlike that which followed after an image re-emerged last year of Trump seemingly giving a military salute to a North Korean general, which appeared on the r/pics subreddit in mid-May 2024.
The image was captured from video footage aired on North Korean television on June 13, 2018, when Trump, as president, attended a summit meeting in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and seen in a clip tweeted by BBC Monitoring.
Retired U.S. Army Major General Paul D. Eaton called Trump's behavior "wholly inappropriate" given that North Korea is an adversary, adding that while dialogue must take place, "they have not earned the salute of a president."
Senator Martin Heinrich, (D-N.M) also said Trump's salute was disrespectful to American troops although then-White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders defended the salute as "a common courtesy."
Rep. Darrell Issa, (R-CA)., told CNN that "you always return a salute given to you" and Trump defended the gesture in an interview on the Fox News Channel's Fox & Friends.
Saudi Arabia is a U.S. ally. and U.S. military protocol says that it is "customary to salute officers of friendly foreign nations when recognized as such." Saluting officers of unfriendly foreign nations is thought to be forbidden but these protocols don't apply to the commander-in-chief, who is by law a civilian with no military rank or standing.
Former President Barack Obama was also scrutinized for his actions toward foreign leaders after bowing while greeting a previous Saudi ruler, King Abdullah, as well as former Emperor Akihito of Japan in 2009. In the first case, Obama was accused of showing obeisance to a foreign ruler and Islam. In the latter, his behavior was dubbed "treasonous."
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: "I really believe we like each other a lot."
Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News: "Saudis gave President Trump a 21-gun salute as he arrived at the Riyadh airport, this time on a purple carpet and without First Lady Melania Trump."
What Happens Next
Trump's arrival in Riyadh is expected to seal economic agreements with a key Mideast ally amid shared concerns about Iran's nuclear program and the war in Gaza. Saudi's Crown Prince has committed to $600 billion in new Saudi investment in the U.S., but Trump has suggested that more would be even better.
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