US President Donald Trump has stated that 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 remarks seem to contradict a US intelligence assessment published in 2021, which found that bin Salman had approved the operation that led to Khashoggi's death at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
During this significant meeting, bin Salman, who has denied any involvement, remarked that Saudi Arabia 'did all the right things' regarding the investigation into Khashoggi's demise, which shocked the US-Saudi relationship.
In the Oval Office, when pressed by reporters about Khashoggi, Trump dismissed the accusations by commenting on the journalist's divisive reputation, saying, 'A lot of people didn't like that gentleman.' He added, 'Things happen.' Responding to a question about the information, Trump defended the crown prince, stating, 'But he [the Crown Prince] knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guests.'
Meanwhile, the crown prince referred to the murder as 'painful' and recognized it as a 'huge mistake,' as he emphasized the measures taken by Saudi Arabia in the aftermath.
Khashoggi's widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, has since called on the crown prince to apologize for her husband's murder, articulating that there is 'no justification' for it. She remarked on social media, 'The Crown Prince said he was sorry, so he should meet me, apologize, and compensate me for the murder of my husband.'
The discussions during their meeting included lucrative deals on civilian nuclear technology, artificial intelligence, and Saudi investment in the US, expected to increase from $600 billion to $1 trillion. They also touched upon the potential sale of advanced F-35 fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia, raising concerns among some Israeli officials regarding military balance in the region.
The visit continues with a gala dinner and an investment summit, marking a pivotal moment in US-Saudi relations, particularly following the previous administration's more critical stance towards bin Salman amidst human rights concerns.
