President Trump Honored With Gold Medal From | Saudi Arabian | King At Start Of First Foreign Trip.

Saudi Arabia's king presented President Trump with the kingdom's highest civilian honor in the capital city of Riyadh during the first part of his five-stop journey through the Middle East, Italy and Belgium.
President Trump landed in Saudi Arabia on his first foreign trip at around 3 a.m. Eastern Standard Time Saturday.
After Air Force One touched down in Riyadh at about 10 a.m. local time, Trump and First Lady Melania descended the stairs to a wide red carpet. Saudi Arabian King Salman, 81, greeted Trump at the base of the stairs, extending his hand toward the President.
Some pundits questioned whether Salman would shake Trump's hand or even brave the sweltering heat to walk out onto the runway, citing his older age.
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Trump, Salman and their entourage then moved to the Royal Court where he decorated the President with the gold King Abdulaziz medal. The distinction was also bestowed upon Presidents Obama and George W. Bush.
The greeting was symbolic, as Saudi Arabia is a highly conservative kingdom that hopes to shore up relations with the U.S.
During then-President Barack Obama's final trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2016, he was not greeted by Salman at the airport—instead by the governor of Riyadh, Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud, the Guardian reported.

The Saudis are reportedly hopeful as to what Trump can do to boost their standing in the region. For one, they've praised Trump's rhetoric about Iran posing a threat to the nation.
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The embattled President set off on his tour amid backlash in Washington, where the Department of Justice tapped former FBI Director Robert Mueller to be special counsel in the investigation of possible Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
For the former President, Saudis felt that Obama had pulled the U.S. out of the region and reduced the bilateral relationship. Much of the Saudi distaste emanated from a deal struck with Iran over nuclear arms, and U.S. hesitancy to become directly involved in the Syrian civil war, NBC News wrote.
Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia has remained a pivotal ally to the U.S., especially for their defense spending. The country also stands as a stabilizing force in the region—being one of a few stronger governments.
In recent years, rhetoric about Wahhabism, a more rigid form of Islam, has increased in the U.S., especially as the nation and other Western allies have battled Islamic extremism. Wahhabism originated in Saudi Arabia.
On Sunday, Trump will make a highly anticipated address to Islamic leaders about his vision for a more peaceful Islam and U.S.-Muslim relations.
Prior to the ceremonial greeting on Saturday, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said that Trump got very little sleep on the 14-hour flight, CNN reported. Priebus noted the President worked with staff, read newspapers and worked on his Sunday speech.
In the coming days, he will also meet with the Saudi Crown Prince, Muhammad bin Nayef, and Deputy Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman.



Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/donald-trump-warm-greeting-saudi-king-article-1.3180919