President Donald Trump’s speech in Riyadh, where he criticized past U.S. interference in Gulf states, drew attention from Saudi royalty, American billionaires, and ordinary Arabs, including critics of the Saudi regime. Trump’s remarks signaled a shift in the U.S.’s role as a global human rights advocate, causing concern among those who had experienced repression under Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s rule. While some view the Crown Prince’s human rights record as improved following international criticism, others, like Abdullah Alaoudh, whose father remains imprisoned, see a different reality.

The visit to Saudi Arabia, along with Qatar and the UAE, saw less focus on human rights, with concerns raised by human rights groups but a muted response overall. Some attribute this shift to improvements in Saudi Arabia’s human rights situation, while others point to a decline in the U.S.’s own human rights standing. The case of Ibrahim Almadi, seeking help to bring his father home from Saudi Arabia, highlights personal struggles amid political alliances.

Criticism of Saudi officials has waned as exiles fear reprisals, mirroring a broader trend of self-censorship among Arabs in the U.S. Democracy in the Arab World Now advises caution amid growing concerns over immigration status and safety. The shadow of Jamal Khashoggi’s killing looms large, with the U.S. intelligence community implicating the Crown Prince, contrasting with the political dynamics of current U.S.-Saudi relations.

Despite some improvements in Saudi’s human rights landscape, challenges persist, with many activists still detained or facing restrictions. The U.S.’s own human rights record, including military support in conflict zones, has led to questions about its moral authority to address abuses in other countries. The evolving dynamics between the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf region underscore complex geopolitical realities and human rights concerns in a shifting global landscape.