US Intelligence Concludes Saudi Crown Prince Orchestrated Khashoggi Murder Amidst Trump's Rejection
US intelligence and the CIA concluded Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman orchestrated Jamal Khashoggi's murder, a finding President Trump rejected, defending Saudi Arabia and his business ties.
Khashoggi’s widow rebukes Trump for ‘justifying’ husband’s death
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New York Daily News
Overview
- US intelligence agencies, including the CIA, definitively concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman orchestrated the brutal 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
- President Trump publicly rejected these US intelligence findings, including CIA reports, which implicated Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the journalist's killing.
- Trump defended his family's business interests in Saudi Arabia, denying any conflicts of interest, and also defended the Crown Prince's operations despite the intelligence conclusions.
- The US sanctioned individuals involved in Khashoggi's killing, but notably excluded Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, despite intelligence linking him to the murder.
- President Trump welcomed Crown Prince Mohammed to the White House, praising Saudi progress, confirming F-35 sales, and angrily dismissing questions about Khashoggi's murder.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story by consistently highlighting the brutality of Jamal Khashoggi's murder and the alleged culpability of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. They critically contextualize President Trump's defense of MBS, emphasizing the contradiction with intelligence findings and prioritizing the perspectives of human rights advocates and Khashoggi's widow to underscore moral outrage and calls for accountability.
"Presenting Crown Prince Mohammed as "a beacon or an icon of modernity for his country is a joke," Callamard said, calling the kingdom's reforms "very superficial.""
NBC News"Elatr said she was "disappointed" to hear Mr. Trump describing her husband in a way that "kind of justifies a crime.""
CBS News"Trump later criticized Bruce for asking the prince a “horrible, insubordinate and just a terrible question.”"
Chicago Tribune"It’s better for the United States to have a friendly relationship with Saudi Arabia."
Semafor"Trump dismissed concerns about bin Salman's alleged role in the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi."
USA TODAY"Trump later criticized Bruce for asking the prince a “horrible, insubordinate and just a terrible question.”"
Associated Press"Trump greeted Prince Mohammed at the White House’s South Lawn entrance with a handshake and arm slung over the prince’s shoulder."
Associated Press"But seven years later, the dark clouds over the relationship have been cleared away."
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FAQ
Democracy Forward filed the lawsuit to force the disclosure of communications and records showing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's influence over the Trump Administration's infrastructure policy, after federal agencies failed to respond to their FOIA request.
The $20 billion contribution from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund was intended for investment in U.S. infrastructure projects and was managed by the Blackstone Group, whose CEO is an informal advisor to President Trump, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
President Trump rejected the U.S. intelligence findings, defended Saudi Arabia and his business ties, and notably excluded Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from sanctions despite the evidence linking him to Khashoggi's murder.
Jared Kushner had a close relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who claimed Kushner was 'in his pocket,' raising questions about the influence of Saudi officials on Trump Administration policies.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on several individuals involved in Jamal Khashoggi's murder, but notably did not sanction Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, despite intelligence linking him directly to the crime.
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