Valuetainment "Saudi Arabia Is In TROUBLE" - Why MBS’ $1T Trump Deal May FALL Apart
Nov 19, 2025
Tom Ellsworth, an economic and geopolitical expert specializing in energy markets, joins to dissect the intricate Saudi-US dynamics. They discuss Trump’s tense meeting with MBS, where questions about 9/11 and Khashoggi arose. Tom highlights Saudi Arabia's economic struggles from low oil prices and their efforts to diversify into tourism. The conversation delves into major F-35 deals and the feasibility of Trump's proposed $600 billion to $1 trillion Saudi investments, revealing the high stakes of diplomacy and negotiation.
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Trump’s Playful Greeting With Musk
- Patrick Bet-David described a playful moment where Trump slapped Elon Musk on the butt.
- The clip set a casual tone for the broader discussion about Trump's meeting with MBS.
MBS Frames Past Tragedies As Reforms
- MBS responded to tough questions by framing 9/11 and Khashoggi topics as painful but emphasizing reforms.
- He portrayed Saudi steps to investigate and improve systems to prevent repeats.
Saudi Economy Under Severe Strain
- Saudi Arabia faces deep financial strain because oil makes up ~80% of GDP and prices are down.
- The kingdom needs US support and investment to avoid fiscal collapse as mega-projects drain cash.