Trump's Riyadh Rally: Billionaires on the Floor, Deals in the Air (and a $142B Weapon Haul)

Ritz Carlton Lockdown: Patience is a Virtue (Especially When You're a Billionaire)

So word on the street – or rather from the Ritz Carlton Riyadh – is that the U.S. Saudi Investment Forum was quite the spectacle. Trump and MBS holding court while the titans of industry cooled their heels. Three hours locked in a plenary room? That's longer than I spend deciding which private jet to take. But hey as they say 'What's the point of having fuck you money if you can't say fuck you?' Apparently nobody said it loud enough to leave. Strategic patience indeed. Though if I were there I'd have chartered a chopper just to make a point. Missed opportunity people.

Cross Legged CEOs: Humility or Just Bad Planning?

Now this is where it gets interesting. Fortune 500 CEOs masters of the universe reduced to sitting on the floor legs crossed like kindergarteners? Priceless. I can see it now Musk probably trying to figure out how to build a rocket out of cocktail napkins Fink probably doing mental calculations on the square footage of the room to justify another basis point fee. Look I admire ambition but sometimes you gotta take a knee – or in this case sit on your ass – and wait for the royalty to arrive. Makes you wonder though who dropped the ball on logistics? Heads should roll for that kind of amateur hour. In my world someone doesn’t meet expectations they cease to exist.

Trump the Showman: Still Got It After All These Years

Love him or hate him Trump knows how to work a crowd. He can waltz into a room say the most absurd and provocative things and they eat it up. Playing Lee Greenwood's 'God Bless the U.S.A.'? Pure theater. A 50 minute speech rambling about domestic agendas? Classic Trump. But here's the kicker: He had 'em eating out of his hand. 'Riyadh is becoming a major business cultural and high tech capital of the entire world.' It’s a blatant pandering comment but the audience is already drinking the Kool Aid might as well give them a second cup. The man knows how to stroke an ego – especially when there are deals to be made.

Bromance for the Ages: Trump and MBS Get Cozy

This Trump MBS love in is something else. Praising MBS joking about him sleeping at night – it's a masterclass in relationship building. 'He's your greatest representative… I like him too much.' That's the kind of sweet talk that unlocks the vaults which let's face it is the whole point. And the Saudis? They're eating it up. Social media buzzing with pride. All those deals are just the afterglow of mutual admiration. It’s not personal Sonny it’s strictly business… with a dash of sycophancy.

$600 Billion and a Record Weapon Deal: Now We're Talking

Alright now we're getting to the good stuff. $600 billion in investments including a $142 billion weapon deal? That's what I call a payday. I’m an opponent to wars and violence however you have to give it to them they know how to make money. I mean I'm used to moving markets but that kind of action could make even me do a double take. Someone’s making out like bandits. Someone is always benefiting. All this positive energy all this 'optimism' – it's fueled by cold hard cash and the promise of even more. Deals that feel less 'performative'? Maybe. But let's not kid ourselves. It’s all a performance. The only thing that matters is the bottom line.

Axe's Final Take: Opportunity Knocks (Even in a Desert)

So what's the play here? Simple. Recognize the game understand the players and find your angle. Trump's making friends and cutting deals. MBS is cementing his power. The CEOs are scrambling for a piece of the pie. And me? Well I'm watching waiting and figuring out how to profit from it all. Because in the end it's not about politics or patriotism. It's about seizing opportunity. And Riyadh with all its pomp and circumstance is just another playground for those who know how to play the game. Remember kids Money is not the goal. Power is the game.