US President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to the White House, claiming the royal “knew nothing” about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. His remark marked a clear shift from Washington’s earlier conclusion that the crown prince was involved in the 2018 murder.

Trump made the comment after a reporter asked him about Khashoggi’s killing. He replied, “You’re mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen.”
Trump then added, “But he [the Crown Prince] knew nothing about it. You don’t have to embarrass our guests.”

This visit is Salman’s first trip to the United States since the killing.

A Shift From US Intelligence Findings

Trump’s stance contradicts a 2021 US intelligence report, which stated that the crown prince had approved the operation that led to Khashoggi’s murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Mohammed bin Salman told reporters that hearing about the killing was “painful,” and insisted that his government “did all the right steps of investigation.” He added, “We’ve improved our system to be sure that nothing like that happens. And it’s painful and it’s a huge mistake.”

Although human rights groups have sharply criticised Mohammed bin Salman for the murder and for targeting dissent, he has also introduced major social reforms that reduced several strict rules in the kingdom.

Khashoggi’s Widow Demands Accountability

Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, publicly called on the crown prince to “apologise” to her. “The Crown Prince said he was sorry so he should meet me, apologize and compensate me for the murder of my husband,” she wrote on X.

She now lives in Washington DC and was granted asylum by the US after her husband’s death.