Trump’s Saudi Yacht History Resurfaces Amid White House Confrontation

A tense exchange at the White House has reignited interest in a decades-old luxury purchase. President Donald Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this week. The meeting was disrupted by a question about journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.

The confrontation highlighted the complex U.S.-Saudi relationship. It also unearthed a forgotten connection involving a superyacht. That vessel once linked the Trump and Khashoggi families through a spectacular sale.

The Yacht That Connected a President and an Arms Dealer

The story begins with Adnan Khashoggi. He was Jamal Khashoggi’s uncle and a famed Saudi arms dealer. At his peak, Adnan was one of the world’s richest men.

He commissioned the 282-foot superyacht Nabila in 1980. It cost $100 million to build. The vessel featured marble bathrooms, a disco, and a full hospital.

Adnan’s fortune collapsed in the late 1980s. He defaulted on a loan from the Sultan of Brunei. The Sultan seized the Nabila as collateral.

Trump’s Floating Symbol of Opulence

Donald Trump bought the yacht in 1987 for a reported $30 million. He renamed it the Trump Princess. This was part of his brand-building during that era.

The purchase required special harbor dredging in Atlantic City. Trump used the vessel for high-profile photo ops. It became a symbol of his lavish public image.

According to Reuters, Trump’s ownership was short-lived. He sold the yacht in 1991 during his own financial troubles. The buyer was Saudi billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal.

A Web of Connections

Prince Al-Waleed renamed the vessel Kingdom 5KR. He is a cousin of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Both are grandsons of Saudi Arabia’s founder.

In 2010, Prince Al-Waleed hired Jamal Khashoggi to run a news channel. The network was shut down after one day due to political pressure. This foreshadowed Jamal’s later conflicts with Saudi leadership.

The yacht’s history connects three key figures across different eras. It represents the intertwined financial and political relationships that continue to shape U.S.-Saudi dynamics today.

The Trump Princess remains a physical artifact of these connections. Its story illustrates how personal business relationships can intersect with international diplomacy and human rights concerns.

Thought you’d like to know

Who originally owned the yacht before Trump?

Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi commissioned the yacht. He was Jamal Khashoggi’s uncle. Financial troubles forced him to sell it in 1987.

What happened to the yacht after Trump sold it?

Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal purchased it in 1991. He renamed it Kingdom 5KR. The vessel remains in service today.

How is the current Saudi crown prince connected to this story?

Prince Al-Waleed is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s cousin. The yacht represents the extensive business relationships between Saudi elites and international figures.

What was special about the yacht’s features?

The 282-foot vessel included a disco, hospital, and hair salon. It was among the largest private yachts when built. The interior featured extensive gold and marble finishes.

Why did Trump sell the Trump Princess?

He sold it during financial troubles in the early 1990s. The sale was part of broader asset divestment. He reportedly sold it for less than his purchase price.