Former President Donald Trump described Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a "good friend" following a phone call with the de facto ruler, just days after a 9/11 victims' family member publicly accused the kingdom of "supporting" the terrorists.
Speaking to reporters in Ireland, Trump stated that his call with bin Salman, also known as MBS, was positive. "He's a good friend of mine, and I can just say everything is gonna work out fine and dandy. It's gonna be very good," Trump said.
The call reportedly centered on the Houthi movement's recent territorial gains in Yemen, which have increased its control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical waterway for global oil transit. According to Axios, MBS had contacted Trump twice requesting U.S. military strikes against the Houthis, but Trump declined.
This exchange occurred shortly after Terry Strada, the widow of a 9/11 victim, spoke at a memorial service in Manhattan. Strada accused Saudi Arabia of "fomenting anti-American terrorism" and supporting the hijackers of the planes used in the 2001 attacks, 15 of whom were Saudi nationals.
"For 25 years, administration after administration, including leaders in front of us here today, chose to protect the Saudis instead of standing with the 9/11 families," Strada stated, drawing cheers from the crowd. Families are continuing to press the Trump administration to declassify records, including phone logs, that they believe link a Saudi national identified as a Saudi intelligence agent to the attacks.
Trump has consistently highlighted his close relationship with MBS, a bond that has seen significant diplomatic and military cooperation between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia during his presidency. This relationship includes a previously reported $1 trillion deal for military technology, rare earth minerals, and nuclear cooperation.
While Trump declined to order strikes on the Houthis, a U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) leader, Admiral Brett Cooper, reportedly traveled to Saudi Arabia for emergency meetings this week. The Houthi offensive has raised concerns about potential attacks on oil vessels, similar to incidents seen in the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia has consistently denied any involvement in the 9/11 attacks and has been engaged in legal battles with families of victims seeking accountability. The White House has stated that efforts are underway to identify records responsive to the families' requests for declassification.