Trump’s deals with Saudi are a two-way street

Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation intersects with the business interests of the first billionaire US president.
US President Donald Trump stands during a visit to At-Turaif World Heritage Site, in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on May 13, 2025. Brian Snyder/Reuters

South Africa’s digital minister rejects preferential treatment for Starlink

Digital Minister Solly Malatsi said that foreign firms should not be allowed to leapfrog local requirements.
South Africa’s Digital Minister Solly Malatsi with Semafor’s Yinka Adegoke at The Next 3 Billion event in Johannesburg.South Africa’s Digital Minister Solly Malatsi. Semafor.

Saudi firm backs US AI startup’s $900 million fundraise, investment in Saudi Arabia

State-backed HUMAIN led the Luma AI funding round and will develop a 2GW compute cluster for the Silicon Valley firm in Saudi Arabia.
Luma’s co-founder Amit Jain. Courtesy of Luma.

Congress mimics Trump’s Saudi embrace

Even many Democrats shifted their focus from past bipartisan worries over human rights as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived.
President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin SalmanJessica Koscielniak/Reuters
AD
Politics

Saudi leader’s Washington visit continues with plenty of fanfare but few details

One clear theme of the business summit President Donald Trump attended alongside Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: the importance of exporting US tech to the global AI race.
President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin SalmanEvelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Democrats start falling for risk-takers as their early 2028 conversation begins

In the aftermath of the shutdown and the party’s successful off-year elections, the Democrats who’ve taken the biggest risks have seen the biggest benefits.
Ro KhannaAnnabelle Gordon/Reuters

Democrats fighting to preserve states’ ability to regulate AI

The issue is roaring back to life during defense bill talks after President Donald Trump urged Republicans to act; the Senate had voted 99-1 against a state-level moratorium.
Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.Kylie Cooper/Reuters

Trump and MBS solidify US-Saudi ties at White House visit

Washington designated Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally, while Riyadh pledged to invest $1 trillion in the US.

Measure allowing senators to sue DOJ splits Republicans

Senate Republicans are divided over whether to repeal the language, which was inserted in last week’s spending deal.

Congress mimics Trump’s Saudi embrace

Even many Democrats shifted their focus from past bipartisan worries over human rights as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived.

Epstein files bill suddenly speeding to Trump’s desk

The overwhelming House vote on Tuesday sets the stage for a likely Senate passage as soon as this week.

Conflict with China would devastate pharmaceutical supply chain, Biden’s drug czar says

“It will be like having car factories without car parts,” Dr. Rahul Gupta said at Semafor’s Future of Health Forum.

House Democrat: ‘Madness’ to expect bipartisan health care deal by December

Speaking at a Semafor event, Rep. Becca Balint declined to rule out another government shutdown in January.

US House expected to pass bill forcing Epstein files’ release

President Donald Trump said Monday he would sign the legislation if the Senate passes it.

Almost half of Americans fear they can’t afford health care: Poll

One in five Americans said they or someone in their household couldn’t afford a prescription in the last three months.
AD