Saudi prince puts aside Twitter spat, congratulates Trump

Saudi Arabian royal and business magnate Prince Alwaleed bin Talal congratulated Donald Trump on his US presidential victory, almost a year after the two clashed bitterly on Twitter.

“President elect @realDonaldTrump whatever the past differences, America has spoken, congratulations & best wishes for your presidency,” the prince wrote on his Twitter page.

In December 2015, bin Talal had called Trump a “disgrace” and demanded he withdraw from the election after the property developer’s pledge to ban Muslims entry into the US raised hackles around the world and especially in the Middle East.

The next day, Trump issued a withering riposte: “Dopey Prince @Alwaleed_Talal wants to control our US politicians with daddy’s money. Can’t do it when I get elected.”

Bin Talal had also fired broadsides at Trump, claiming to have bailed him out twice when the president-elect had declared bankruptcy.