Senator Bernie Sanders isn't mincing words about President Donald Trump's red-carpet treatment of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this week. The Vermont independent slammed the White House reception and state dinner as a troubling signal that America is siding with authoritarians and global oligarchs over its own citizens.

A Blunt Assessment of the Royal Welcome

Sanders took to X on Wednesday with a stark reminder of bin Salman's record: "MBS starved hundreds of thousands in Yemen, had a U.S. journalist dismembered, and ordered record executions. But Trump welcomed this murderer to the WH. Some of the wealthiest people in America joined him. Trump is signaling support for worldwide oligarchy and authoritarianism."

Earlier that day, Sanders drew a sharp contrast between how the administration treats Saudi royalty versus ordinary Americans. "If you're the royal family of Saudi Arabia, worth $1.4 trillion, Trump rewards your family with F-35 fighter jets after they ordered the murder of a Washington Post journalist. If you're a 62-year-old couple in America whose premiums will quadruple? Tough luck. America first?"

Billionaires and Business Interests

In a written statement, Sanders criticized what he called a "Trump-MBS Love Fest," arguing the visit demonstrates the United States standing "on the side of authoritarianism, not democracy." He specifically called out Tuesday's black-tie dinner that brought together bin Salman, Trump, and a guest list of billionaires and CEOs including Elon Musk and Jensen Huang.

"While these multibillionaires become even richer, the vast majority of Americans are struggling to put food on the table and pay for housing and health care," Sanders said.

The senator also raised concerns about what he termed Trump's "extraordinary kleptocracy," pointing to favorable treatment of Saudi Arabia while Trump's family and allies pursue real estate and investment ventures connected to Saudi money.

The Deals Behind the Diplomacy

The criticism comes as Trump and bin Salman announced substantial agreements on Monday. The two leaders unveiled a Strategic Defense Agreement aimed at "fortifying deterrence across the Middle East," along with future deliveries of F-35 fighter jets and a Saudi purchase of nearly 300 U.S. tanks. They also signed a joint declaration on civil nuclear energy cooperation and announced plans to increase Saudi investment in the United States from $600 billion to $1 trillion.