U.S. President Donald Trump sparked fresh controversy Tuesday as he forcefully defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the royal’s White House visit, dismissing long-standing allegations about the prince’s role in the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and lashing out at a reporter who raised the issue.
Trump insisted the crown prince “knew nothing” about the killing — contradicting the 2021 U.S. intelligence assessment that concluded Prince Mohammed ordered the operation that led to Khashoggi’s murder and dismemberment inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
When an ABC journalist asked the prince about the case, Trump erupted, calling the question “embarrassing” and describing Khashoggi as “extremely controversial.”
“A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman,” Trump said angrily. “Whether you like him or didn’t like him… things happened, but he knew nothing about it. You don’t have to embarrass our guest.”
The crown prince, visiting the United States for the first time since the murder, called the killing “painful” and a “huge mistake,” while arriving with a pledge of $1 trillion in investment for the U.S.
Deals Signed Despite Global Outrage
During the visit, Trump and the Saudi delegation approved major agreements, including:
- A civilian nuclear cooperation deal between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia
- A major defense package, with future deliveries of U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighters
- Expanded AI collaboration between the two nations
Trump also staged a military flyby featuring F-35s and hosted a gala dinner led by First Lady Melania Trump. Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays in Saudi Arabia, was expected to attend.
Calling the prince “a very good friend,” Trump hailed him as “incredible in terms of human rights, and everything else,” despite widespread criticism of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
Victim’s Family Demands Accountability
Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, condemned Trump’s remarks, saying there is “no justification to murder my husband.” She urged the prince to apologize and compensate her for the killing that sparked global outrage during Trump’s first term.
Political and Business Ties Scrutinized
Trump said he also urged the prince to join the Abraham Accords, though Prince Mohammed said progress on Palestinian statehood must come first. The visit renewed scrutiny of Trump’s longstanding financial ties to Saudi interests, though he denied conflicts of interest one day after a Saudi developer announced a hotel partnership with the Trump Organization in the Maldives.
“I have nothing to do with the family business. I have left,” Trump said.
The meeting underscored Trump’s intent to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia while downplaying one of the most notorious political assassinations in recent history — a stance sharply at odds with U.S. intelligence agencies and human rights advocates.