Trump Designates Saudi Arabia as Major Non-NATO Ally During Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's White House Visit

US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he is designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally during a lavish White House dinner hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"Tonight, I'm pleased to announce that we're taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, which is something that is very important to them," Trump stated during the gala event.

The President revealed this significant diplomatic designation was being kept as "a little secret for tonight," mentioning that only 19 other countries worldwide have previously received this special status.

During the official dinner at the White House, Trump made this important announcement while hosting the Saudi Crown Prince, marking a notable advancement in US-Saudi military relations.

When referencing the Khashoggi murder case, Trump notably defended the Saudi Prince, even displaying frustration toward a reporter who raised questions about the matter.