Trump Defends Saudi Crown Prince Amid Controversy Over Khashoggi Killing
In a highly anticipated meeting, former U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, defending the controversial leader in the midst of ongoing discussions surrounding the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The meeting, which unfolded in a ceremonial display of hospitality, has sparked both political debate and public outcry.
Trump, who welcomed Prince Mohammed with an extravagant reception featuring marching bands and military flyovers, was quick to address questions about Khashoggi's death. When a reporter pressed the issue, Trump dismissed it by saying, “Things happen,” downplaying the gravity of the assassination. He further stated that the Crown Prince “knew nothing” about the killing, which contradicts U.S. intelligence findings from 2021 that implicated Prince Mohammed in approving the operation that led to Khashoggi’s murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
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The Crown Prince, in his own remarks, called Khashoggi's death a "huge mistake" and expressed that Saudi Arabia had taken all the necessary steps to investigate the matter. Despite the overwhelming evidence that the Crown Prince may have been involved, he denied any wrongdoing and argued that his country had done its due diligence in handling the aftermath. This marks his first U.S. visit since the murder, which significantly strained U.S.-Saudi relations.
Khashoggi's widow, Hanan Elatr, has continued to demand justice, urging the Crown Prince to apologize for the killing. In a post on social media, she stated that there could be "no justification" for her husband’s murder and called for Prince Mohammed to meet with her to offer an apology and compensation. Despite the harsh public reactions and widespread international condemnation, Saudi officials have yet to issue any direct apologies.
The discussion between Trump and the Crown Prince, however, was not entirely focused on the murder. The two leaders touched on a range of topics, including the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a deal that has raised concerns in Israel due to the implications it could have on the region's military balance. Trump reassured that the jets would be sold in a way that would not diminish Israel’s military advantage, emphasizing that both Saudi Arabia and Israel were valuable allies of the U.S.
Throughout the meeting, Trump continued to praise the Crown Prince, calling him a "fantastic" and "brilliant" leader. He also downplayed the significance of questions about the Khashoggi case, accusing a reporter of disrespecting his guest. As the two men exchanged pleasantries, Trump expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s commitment to investing up to $1 trillion in the U.S., signaling a deepening economic relationship between the two nations.
Despite the contentious backdrop of Khashoggi's murder, the U.S.-Saudi ties seem poised to grow, with discussions moving towards civilian nuclear power, artificial intelligence, and other high-tech industries. Trump’s warm reception to the Crown Prince underscores the shifting dynamics of global diplomacy, as economic and strategic interests continue to outweigh concerns over human rights violations.
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