US President Donald Trump has said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman 'knew nothing' about the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as he welcomed the kingdom's de facto ruler to the White House.
Trump's comments appeared to contradict a US intelligence assessment in 2021 which determined the crown prince had approved the operation that led to Khashoggi's death at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. The crown prince, who has denied any wrongdoing, stated at the White House that Saudi Arabia 'did all the right things' to investigate Khashoggi's death. It was his first visit to the US since the assassination, which sent shockwaves through the US-Saudi relationship.
In the Oval Office, Trump shot back at a reporter who asked about the killing. 'You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial,' he commented, before adding, 'things happen.'
The crown prince echoed this sentiment, asserting that Saudi Arabia 'did all the right steps' in relation to the murder, which he termed 'painful' and a 'huge mistake.' At the same time, a 2021 US intelligence report under President Biden indicated that the crown prince had approved a plan to capture or kill Khashoggi. While numerous Saudi officials faced sanctions, none directly targeted the crown prince.
Khashoggi's widow called for an apology from the crown prince, emphasizing the lack of justification for her husband's murder. The Crown Prince said he was sorry so he should meet me, apologize and compensate me for the murder of my husband, she stated on social media.
The meeting between Trump and the Crown Prince also included discussions on investments and defense deals, including the potential sale of advanced F-35 fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia. Trump's remarks alongside the crown prince reveal a continuing alliance, despite the backdrop of Khashoggi's assassination, which remains a contentious point in US-Saudi relations. As the Saudi leader's visit continues, both nations are under scrutiny regarding future cooperation and accountability for past actions.
Trump's comments appeared to contradict a US intelligence assessment in 2021 which determined the crown prince had approved the operation that led to Khashoggi's death at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. The crown prince, who has denied any wrongdoing, stated at the White House that Saudi Arabia 'did all the right things' to investigate Khashoggi's death. It was his first visit to the US since the assassination, which sent shockwaves through the US-Saudi relationship.
In the Oval Office, Trump shot back at a reporter who asked about the killing. 'You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial,' he commented, before adding, 'things happen.'
The crown prince echoed this sentiment, asserting that Saudi Arabia 'did all the right steps' in relation to the murder, which he termed 'painful' and a 'huge mistake.' At the same time, a 2021 US intelligence report under President Biden indicated that the crown prince had approved a plan to capture or kill Khashoggi. While numerous Saudi officials faced sanctions, none directly targeted the crown prince.
Khashoggi's widow called for an apology from the crown prince, emphasizing the lack of justification for her husband's murder. The Crown Prince said he was sorry so he should meet me, apologize and compensate me for the murder of my husband, she stated on social media.
The meeting between Trump and the Crown Prince also included discussions on investments and defense deals, including the potential sale of advanced F-35 fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia. Trump's remarks alongside the crown prince reveal a continuing alliance, despite the backdrop of Khashoggi's assassination, which remains a contentious point in US-Saudi relations. As the Saudi leader's visit continues, both nations are under scrutiny regarding future cooperation and accountability for past actions.
