SAEDNEWS: The meeting between US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS)Tuesday was overshadowed by the 2018 murder of dissident Saudi-American journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) during a White House meeting, downplaying his alleged role in the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. When questioned by reporters, Trump said MBS “knew nothing about it” and urged the media not to “embarrass our guest.”
This statement contrasts sharply with U.S. intelligence findings, which concluded that MBS ordered Khashoggi’s assassination. Veteran journalist Bob Woodward highlighted Trump’s past remarks, recalling that in 2020, Trump admitted protecting MBS from Congressional scrutiny over the killing.
Social media activists and human rights organizations condemned Trump’s stance. Anonymous pointed to MBS’s connections with Jeffrey Epstein, while DAWN Media, founded by Khashoggi, criticized Trump for prioritizing personal and corporate gains over justice. “President Trump has Jamal Khashoggi's blood on his hands,” said DAWN advocacy director Raed Jarrar.
Journalists and public figures noted the stark contradiction between Trump’s defense and U.S. intelligence assessments. Washington Post reporter Kaitlin Collins called the moment “quite stunning,” and human rights advocate Kenneth Roth criticized the absolution of MBS despite compelling evidence.
Even political commentators and former diplomats expressed disbelief. Former diplomat Tom Malinowski highlighted the contrast between Trump’s dismissal and intelligence reports, while Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar urged the U.S. to stop selling weapons to one of the world’s worst human rights abusers.
The Oval Office meeting, which coincided with announcements of new arms deals and increased Saudi investments in the U.S., underscores a tension in American foreign policy: economic and strategic interests appear to outweigh accountability for one of the most high-profile political murders of the decade.
