Why top tech CEOs joined Trump on his trip to Saudi Arabia
NPRThursday, May 15, 2025 at 9:04:16 PM

President Trump's recent trip to Saudi Arabia included an unexpected entourage: top tech CEOs from companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon. This signals a notable shift, as Silicon Valley and the Saudi government—once at odds over issues like human rights and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi—are now cozying up. The visit likely revolves around lucrative tech investments and Saudi Arabia's push to diversify its oil-dependent economy.
What This Means: Money talks, and Saudi Arabia's deep pockets are hard to ignore—even for tech giants that once kept their distance. The warming ties suggest business interests are outweighing past ethical concerns, which could reshape global tech investments and geopolitical alliances. Whether this leads to real progress or just PR-friendly handshakes remains to be seen.
— Curated via WP Now’s AI editorial system