Former President Donald Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman against accusations related to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a White House event. Trump downplayed Khashoggi’s killing, stating that the Crown Prince had no involvement in the incident and referred to Khashoggi as a controversial figure disliked by many. The United Nations has attributed the “premeditated extrajudicial execution” of Khashoggi to the Saudi state.
Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018, with Turkish officials uncovering evidence of the murder and subsequent tampering. Despite international condemnation, Trump has consistently shown admiration for Saudi Arabia and its leadership.
During the White House event, Trump criticized a reporter from ABC News for raising the issue of Khashoggi’s murder, dismissing the question as “fake news.” Crown Prince Salman also faced questions regarding his warm reception at the White House from families affected by the 9/11 attacks. He expressed sympathy for the families and highlighted efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Salman acknowledged the gravity of Khashoggi’s murder, calling it a “huge mistake” and asserting that Saudi Arabia is taking steps to prevent such tragedies. The Crown Prince emphasized the importance of thorough investigations and expressed remorse over the loss of life in a situation devoid of purpose.
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