First Lady Melania Trump captivated onlookers with her choice of a strapless emerald gown, a nod to Saudi Arabia’s national flag, as she and President Donald Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to a grand dinner in the East Room on Tuesday night.
While she did not participate in earlier events that day, the First Lady made her presence known as she and her husband greeted the crown prince—often referred to as MBS—at the White House’s South Portico.
At 55, Melania Trump’s fashion choice seemed to convey a discreet message of support for MBS, whose visit stirred controversy in light of the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi and Saudi Arabia’s alleged involvement in the September 11 attacks.
The visit also coincided with political tension in the U.S. surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, as the House and Senate moved to release files related to the disgraced financier, raising questions about the timing of the Saudi leader’s visit.
President Trump has indicated his intention to sign the bill, though the high-profile dinner may influence when that happens.
Despite the chilly and rainy weather in Washington, D.C., Mrs. Trump appeared composed and elegant, holding hands with the President as MBS arrived in his sleek black car.
MBS is attending the dinner solo, but is expected to be joined by a large Saudi delegation and a number of U.S. business leaders and a possible star soccer player.
President Donald Trump (left) and First Lady Melania Trump (right) wait for the arrival of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a dinner in the East Room Tuesday night at the White House
The Trumps held hands while they waited for MBS to arrive back to the White House after several hours of meetings Tuesday afternoon, with the weather turning cold and rainy
First Lady Melania Trump (center) smiled as President Donald Trump (left) greeted MBS (right) on the South Lawn Tuesday night
First Lady Melania Trump (right) wore a dramatic emerald strapless dress, which matched the flag of Saudi Arabia
President Donald Trump (left) again put his hand on the back of MBS (center) as he and First Lady Melania Trump (right) escorted the Saudi leader into the White House
The Saudi visit already took a dramatic turn, as there were fireworks between the president and the press in the Oval Office earlier Tuesday afternoon.
ABC News’ Mary Bruce asked the president about the Trump Organization’s real estate projects in the gulf nation – and whether they represented a conflict of interest – and then turned her attention to the crown prince.
She asked him about the 2018 death of Khashoggi.
Bruce cited U.S. intelligence agencies when saying to MBS ‘you orchestrated the brutal murder of a journalist’ and also noted that ‘9/11 families are furious that you’re here in the Oval Office.’
‘Why should Americans trust you?’ she asked, with Trump asking, ‘Who are you with?’ throughout her inquiry.
The president answered for MBS.
‘You’re mentioning someone that was extremely controversial,’ he said of Khashoggi, whose writings were extremely critical of the Saudi royal family, including MBS.
‘A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it,’ Trump said of the crown prince.
President Donald Trump (right) defended Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (left) after a reporter asked the Saudi leader about the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi
‘You don’t have to embarrass our guest,’ the president added.
Trump blew up at the journalist a second time, even threatening to pull ABC’s license, when she asked a follow-up on the Epstein files.
‘It’s not the question that I mind, it’s your attitude,’ Trump snapped. ‘I think you’re a terrible reporter,’ he added, calling her an ‘insubordinate.’
MBS answered the Khashoggi inquiry by saying that it was ‘really painful to hear anyone losing his life for no real purpose or not in a legal way.’
‘And it’s been painful for us in Saudi Arabia. We did all the right steps of investigation, etc., in Saudi Arabia. And we’ve improved our system to be sure that nothing happened like that,’ the crown prince added.
