Trump Stands by Saudi Crown Prince Amid Controversy
In a meeting at the Oval Office on Tuesday, President Trump expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman despite the controversial circumstances surrounding the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The CIA has linked the crown prince to the 2018 assassination, yet Salman claims ignorance of the event, labeling it “heinous” and “unjustifiable.”
Addressing reporters, Trump stated, “You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial,” in reference to Khashoggi. Trump added, “A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen, but he knew nothing about it. And would you leave it at that? You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question.”
The CIA concluded the crown prince approved the 2018 operation that killed and dismembered Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Turkey, but Salman maintained he had no knowledge of the attack, which he’s called “heinous” and “unjustifiable.”
During the Oval Office discussion, Prince Mohammed bin Salman reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to reform, stating, “We’ve improved our system to be sure that nothing happened like that. And it’s painful, and it’s a huge mistake, and we are doing our best that this doesn’t happen again.”
President Trump also fielded inquiries about potential conflicts of interest due to his family’s business connections in Saudi Arabia. He responded by distancing himself from his family’s business dealings, stating, “I have nothing to do” with the business now. He emphasized his goal to prioritize America’s success over personal gains.
Furthermore, the meeting highlighted a significant agreement between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. The deal promises to inject hundreds of billions of dollars into the American economy, granting Saudi Arabia access to vital military and technological resources in return.
