(Image source from: Twitter.com/WhiteHouse)
US President Donald Trump spoke in defense of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday regarding the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, claiming the prince "knew nothing" about the incident while he hosted him at the White House. The US and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement on a civilian nuclear project and the sale of F-35 fighter jets, as Trump tried to downplay the murder and dismemberment of the Washington Post writer. Trump reacted angrily to a reporter who questioned the prince in the Oval Office about the matter, calling it "embarrassing" for the Saudi leader on his first visit to the US since the murder and labeled Khashoggi as "extremely controversial.""Many people were not fond of that man you're mentioning," he stated.
"Whether you supported him or not, things occurred, but the prince had no knowledge of it. Let's just leave it there. You shouldn't put our guest in an awkward position by asking such a question." The Saudi prince, who came with a commitment of a $1 trillion investment in the US during his first visit since the murder, described Khashoggi's death as "painful" and a "huge mistake." Trump's remarks contradicted a US intelligence report from 2021 that determined Prince Mohammed had authorized the plan to kill Khashoggi, who was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Saudi officials blamed the act on rogue agents. Khashoggi's wife, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, stated there was "no justification to murder my husband" and urged the Saudi prince to "meet with me, apologize, and provide compensation." The murder during Trump's initial term caused a diplomatic issue, but the US president indicated that he now wanted to move past it while strengthening relations with the Saudis.
Trump demanded that US broadcaster ABC, whose journalist posed the question about Khashoggi's murder, have its license taken away during his furious rant against the "terrible" network. Earlier, Trump, who is 79, went all out to impress Prince Mohammed, who is 40, by showcasing US-made F-35 stealth fighters in a flyby and cannon fire. The praise continued in the Oval Office, with Trump referring to the Saudi prince as a "very good friend" and commending him for being "incredible in terms of human rights and other matters." Later, the two nations signed several agreements to strengthen their partnership. The White House announced they approved a "civil nuclear energy cooperation agreement" for a multi-billion-dollar collaboration between the US and the kingdom that would be long-lasting.
Trump also authorized a significant defense sale package that contains future shipments of F-35 jets. They also came to an agreement to exchange AI technology while ensuring that US technology remains safe from outside influences. The celebration continued later with an elegant dinner arranged by First Lady Melania Trump. Renowned Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays in Saudi Arabia, will be present at the White House, as reported by a US official to AFP. Trump mentioned that he encouraged Prince Mohammed to establish better relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, as he aims to transform the temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza into lasting regional peace. The Saudi leader expressed his desire to be part of the accords – Trump's notable diplomatic success from his first term – but stated he first needed a clear pathway toward Palestinian statehood.
Prince Mohammed has developed strong connections with Trump and his family over the years, including through investment promises to the real estate mogul-turned-US president.
Trump rejected any claims of conflicts of interest, a day after a Saudi developer revealed a new hotel collaboration in the Maldives with the Trump Organization, which his sons manage. "I am not involved in the family business. I have stepped away," Trump stated.
