Trump Defends Saudi Crown Prince Amid Khashoggi Murder Controversy During White House Visit
President Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his White House visit, denying his involvement in Jamal Khashoggi's murder, despite U.S. intelligence formally holding him responsible.
Overview
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited President Trump at the White House to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and security ties, marking his first visit in seven years.
- Saudi Arabia pledged $600 billion in U.S. investments, including $142 billion for military equipment, and discussed AI infrastructure and civilian nuclear energy during the visit.
- The visit was significantly overshadowed by the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which the Crown Prince acknowledged as a "painful episode" impacting U.S.-Saudi relations.
- President Trump defended Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, denying his knowledge of Khashoggi's killing, despite U.S. intelligence formally holding the Crown Prince responsible.
- Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by Saudi agents during Trump's first administration, as President Trump also pushed for Saudi-Israel normalization.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story by highlighting the incongruity between President Trump's lavish welcome and praise for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the kingdom's troubled human rights record. They emphasize the "brutal murder" of Jamal Khashoggi, consistently referencing U.S. intelligence linking MBS to the killing, and underscore concerns from 9/11 families and human rights advocates.
"Trump and MBS spoke with reporters in the Oval Office, where the president said he was "very proud" of the job the crown prince had done."
ABC News"Trump dismissed the brutal murder of American journalist Jamal Khashoggi and claimed Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, "knew nothing about" the killing, contradicting a U.S. intelligence assessment that the leader ordered the operation."
USA TODAY"Trump also dismissed questions about a conflict of interest regarding his family's business ties to Saudi Arabia while hosting Salman as president."
NPR"President Trump will host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) at the White House today."
NPR"The US will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump told reporters ahead of a White House meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman."
BBC News"The White House has prepared an arrival ceremony laden with fanfare for the crown prince, complete with cannons and U.S. and Saudi flags draped on buildings."
CBS News"Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will be taking a huge step toward rejoining the international community when he meets with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday."
NBC News"Trump is likely to tout the F-35 fighter jet deal as a win for American workers, as he tries to refocus on the domestic economy as voters worry about the job market and the cost of living."
Semafor"But seven years later, the dark clouds over the relationship have been cleared away."
ABC News"The unexpected move comes at a moment when Trump is trying to nudge the Saudis toward normalizing relations with Israel."
Associated PressArticles (27)
FAQ
The sale is controversial because it could undermine Israel's qualitative military edge in the region and raises concerns about advanced U.S. technology potentially being transferred to adversaries like China.
The U.S. recently approved arms sales to Ukraine (PATRIOT Air Defense System), Germany (Standard Missiles), Singapore (base construction), and Australia (rocket systems).
The murder of Jamal Khashoggi has strained U.S.-Saudi relations, with U.S. intelligence formally holding Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible, leading to ongoing controversy and diplomatic tension.
Saudi Arabia pledged $600 billion in U.S. investments, including $142 billion for military equipment, and discussed AI infrastructure and civilian nuclear energy.
The F-35 is one of the world's most advanced stealth fighter jets, and its sale is highly strategic, often influencing regional military balances and alliances.
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