Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump sparked international controversy on Tuesday by defending Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a lavish White House reception. The stunning remarks came as Trump defends Saudi Prince while announcing a $1 trillion investment pledge from the Gulf kingdom, demonstrating the administration’s prioritization of economic ties over human rights concerns.
Lavish Welcome for Controversial Leader
The White House pulled out all the stops for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known widely as MBS, providing treatment typically reserved for heads of state. The de facto Saudi leader received a parade of soldiers on horseback and a military flypast featuring F-35 jets that Trump indicated Washington would soon sell to Riyadh.
Trump defends Saudi Prince throughout the visit, opening their White House meeting by praising the Crown Prince’s “incredible” human rights record—a characterization that raised eyebrows given Saudi Arabia’s documented human rights violations and the kingdom’s role in Khashoggi’s death.
Dismissing Khashoggi’s Murder
During the Oval Office meeting, Trump defends Saudi Prince by downplaying the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington-based journalist who was murdered and dismembered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. The President described Khashoggi as “extremely controversial,” adding, “a lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about, whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happened, but he (the prince) knew nothing about it.”
This statement contradicts assessments from U.S. intelligence agencies, which have suggested that Crown Prince Mohammed approved the operation that led to Khashoggi’s death. The journalist’s killing sparked global outrage and severely chilled relations between Washington and Riyadh for years during previous administrations.
Confrontation with Press
The extent to which Trump defends Saudi Prince became even more apparent when he raged at a reporter who questioned the Crown Prince about the murder. Trump accused the journalist of “embarrassing” Prince Mohammed with her questions, insisting the Saudi royal knew “nothing about it” regarding the killing.
The Saudi Crown Prince, when pressed, responded by calling the murder and dismemberment of Khashoggi inside the consulate a “huge mistake,” while maintaining that it had been fully investigated. This marked one of his rare public comments acknowledging the incident, though he continued to distance himself from direct responsibility.
Trillion-Dollar Investment Announcement
The meeting yielded significant economic announcements as Trump defends Saudi Prince amid the controversy. The heir to the Saudi throne delighted Trump by announcing an increase in the Saudi investment pledge originally made during Trump’s May visit to the kingdom.
“We can announce that we are going to increase that $600 billion to almost $1 trillion for investment,” Prince Mohammed declared in the Oval Office. A visibly pleased Trump asked him to confirm the figure, to which the Saudi royal replied definitively, “Definitely.”
This massive investment commitment appeared to reinforce Trump’s approach of prioritizing economic relationships over human rights considerations in his dealings with the Gulf kingdom.
Also Read: Epstein Files Bill Passes: Big & Historic Senate Vote Unanimous
State Visit Treatment
Trump defends Saudi Prince by providing unprecedented ceremonial honors for someone who is not technically a head of state. The Crown Prince was welcomed on the South Lawn of the White House as cannon fire boomed out, followed by a noisy flypast by U.S. military jets that created a spectacle typically reserved for visiting presidents and monarchs.
The 79-year-old Republican President personally showed the Prince a new gallery of presidential portraits near the Rose Garden, including one portraying his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden as an “autopen.” Trump has accused Biden of using automated devices to sign presidential pardons, questioning their legality.
First Lady Melania Trump hosted a gala dinner later in the day, with Portugal soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays in Saudi Arabia, among the guests attending the White House celebration.
Regional Peace and Arms Deals
Trump defends Saudi Prince while pursuing broader strategic objectives in the Middle East. The President emphasized his efforts to boost ties with the oil-rich Gulf kingdom, particularly as he seeks to transform the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza into a longer-lasting regional peace.
Trump revealed he had pushed the Crown Prince to normalize relations with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords that he launched during his first term. Prince Mohammed indicated he was working toward normalization “as soon as possible” but insisted on securing a “clear path of two-state solution” for a Palestinian state first.
The President reiterated his intention to sell Saudi Arabia coveted F-35 stealth fighters, despite concerns from Israel and warnings from U.S. officials that China could potentially steal technological knowledge about the advanced jets.
Nuclear Cooperation Framework
In another significant development, Trump announced plans to sign a deal establishing a framework for civilian nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia, according to a U.S. official and a source familiar with the negotiations. This agreement addresses an area of past contention between the two nations.
Widow’s Heartbreak
The shadow of Khashoggi’s murder loomed large over the proceedings, regardless of how Trump defends Saudi Prince. Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, told media that her husband’s killing had “destroyed my life.” She expressed hope that officials would consider “American values of human rights and democracy” alongside any deals and weapons sales.
The 40-year-old Crown Prince has cultivated close ties with Trump and his family over the years, including through investment pledges to the property billionaire-turned-U.S. President. However, the Khashoggi murder continues to cast a long shadow over Saudi-American relations, highlighting the tension between economic interests and human rights advocacy in international diplomacy.
