NPR

President Trump's First Foreign Trip Will Include Red-Carpet Welcome In Saudi Arabia

Given the president's campaign rhetoric, Saudi Arabia seems an odd choice for his first foreign visit. But the kingdom plans a warm welcome and has invited leaders from many other Muslim countries.
President Trump meets Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office on March 14. Trump is traveling to the kingdom Friday on his first foreign trip. / Evan Vucci / Shutterstock.com

In his first foreign trip as president, Donald Trump will be traveling to a Muslim country on Friday. Not just any Muslim state, but the one with the holiest shrines in Islam.

Saudi Arabia is a place that candidate Trump loved to bash during his campaign.

"Until the oil went down, Saudi Arabia was making a billion dollars a day. We protect them. We protect them. And we protect them for peanuts. So all of that stuff is going to change folks,"

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