President Trump thanked the Saudis for internet hosting the peace talks in Riyadh however accused Zelenskyy of backing out of a uncommon earths deal.
President Donald Trump headlined a Saudi-backed funding summit in Miami on Feb. 19, delivering a campaign-style speech targeted on his America First agenda, urging buyers to place their cash in america.
Throughout his speech, Trump additionally took a second to defend his feedback about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy whereas additionally thanking the Saudis for internet hosting the peace talks this week aimed toward ending the warfare in Ukraine. He then launched a recent assault on Zelenskyy, accusing him of not too long ago backing out of a uncommon earths cope with america.
Trump addressed the three-day summit hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund, the place world financiers and tech executives have been gathering since Feb. 19.
Throughout his speech, the U.S. president praised his first 4 weeks in workplace and instructed buyers, “The golden age of America has formally begun.”
“We’ve achieved extra in 4 weeks than most administrations accomplish in 4 years,” he mentioned.
Trump wasn’t addressing his typical crowd, however reasonably a various worldwide viewers. Earlier than starting his speech, Trump stood on stage as “God Bless the united statesA.” performed. He then spoke for greater than an hour earlier than wrapping up with “Y.M.C.A.,” the music he steadily used to shut his rallies.
Throughout his remarks, the room was so packed that there was barely area for individuals to stroll.
Amongst attendees have been billionaire Elon Musk, Center East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew was additionally listed among the many featured audio system on the summit.
Trump ran via a prolonged checklist of achievements, from attracting investments to securing the border and planning new tariffs on different international locations throughout his first 30 days in workplace.
He mentioned he would announce tariffs on vehicles, semiconductors, chips, prescribed drugs, lumber, and extra “over the following month or sooner.”
“It’s going to have a huge impact on America,” Trump instructed buyers.
He additionally praised Musk’s function find authorities waste and fraud, calling him “a really critical individual” with a “excessive IQ.”
“He’s acquired his faults additionally, I’ll inform you that, however not too lots of them,” he joked.
‘We Can Make a Deal With Russia’
Throughout his speech, Trump spoke about this week’s peace talks in Saudi Arabia aimed toward ending the Russia-Ukraine warfare, saying they have been going nicely earlier than criticizing Zelenskyy.
“The one factor he was actually good at was enjoying Joe Biden like a fiddle,” Trump mentioned of the Ukrainian president.
Trump mentioned america spent excess of Europe in supporting Ukraine, but acquired nothing in return.
“We had a deal primarily based on uncommon earth and issues, however they broke that deal,” Trump instructed the gang. “They broke it two days in the past.”
Trump thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud for internet hosting the “historic talks” in Riyadh on Feb. 18, the place his high officers, together with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, met with Russian diplomats. Ukrainian representatives weren’t invited to the assembly.
Trump continued his criticism of Zelenskyy throughout a gaggle with reporters on Air Pressure One as he headed again to Washington, explaining that Ukraine “kind of” agreed to a deal on uncommon earths. He mentioned that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Ukraine however “was handled reasonably rudely” as Zelenskyy declined to satisfy with him.
“He went there to get a doc signed and … he got here again empty,” Trump mentioned. “We will make a cope with Russia to cease the killing,” he added.
Throughout the funding summit, Trump expressed hope that his best legacy can be as a “peacemaker and a unifier” in each Ukraine and Gaza.
Saudi Arabia holds a key function for Trump as he strengthens ties with the dominion, searching for its assist for his plan for the way forward for Gaza and displaced Palestinians. Trump has prompt that america take management of the Gaza Strip, reconstruct the area and have Palestinians relocate to Jordan and Egypt. Saudi Arabia has dismissed the proposal, whereas Egypt has mentioned it is going to current a counterproposal.
Forward of the funding summit in Miami, human rights teams criticized Saudi Arabia for utilizing the PIF as a instrument of soppy energy and international affect in america.
In 2023 and 2024, the U.S. Senate launched an investigation to look at Saudi affect via investments made by the PIF.
Merger talks between PIF-backed LIV Golf and the PGA Tour have been ongoing because the announcement of a framework settlement in June 2023.
PGA Tour officers not too long ago met with Trump and requested the previous president to become involved in talks with PIF to finalize the merger deal.
Trump didn’t handle the merger dialogue throughout his speech on the funding summit.