President Donald Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a White House visit, asserting that the prince had no knowledge of the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, despite U.S. intelligence findings to the contrary.
On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, President Trump hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia in the Oval Office for a bilateral meeting. During the encounter, a reporter questioned Trump about allegations that the crown prince orchestrated the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, prompting a defensive response from the president. The setting underscored the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations, with both leaders emphasizing economic and strategic partnerships.
Trump dismissed the inquiries, stating that the crown prince “knew nothing about it” and chiding the reporter for attempting to “embarrass our guest.” He characterized Khashoggi as “extremely controversial” and claimed that “a lot of people didn’t like that gentleman,” adding, “Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen.” These remarks drew immediate criticism for downplaying the severity of the murder and ignoring evidence from U.S. intelligence agencies.
The murder of Jamal Khashoggi occurred in October 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, where he was killed and dismembered by a team of Saudi operatives. A CIA assessment concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the operation, though the prince has consistently denied direct involvement, calling the act “heinous” and “unjustifiable.” Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government, had entered the consulate to obtain documents for his marriage before being ambushed.
Reactions to Trump’s comments were swift and critical from human rights advocates and investigators. Agnès Callamard, a former U.N. investigator who authored a detailed report on the killing, expressed shock and anger, stating there is “no doubt whatsoever” that the crown prince ordered the murder. Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, lamented that nothing can “justify just a horrible crime,” while media organizations like the Washington Post condemned Trump’s dismissal of the facts.
The meeting also highlighted the strong economic and strategic ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Trump and the crown prince discussed significant investment deals, including Saudi plans to invest up to $1 trillion in the U.S. technology sector, particularly in artificial intelligence. Additionally, Trump confirmed the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and mentioned potential civil nuclear cooperation, reinforcing the long-standing alliance centered on energy and security interests.
Despite the warm reception, the crown prince did not commit to joining the Abraham Accords, which normalize relations with Israel, emphasizing the need for a “clear path of two-state solution” for Palestinians. This stance reflects ongoing diplomatic challenges in the Middle East, where Saudi Arabia seeks to balance regional stability with its own geopolitical goals, without rushing into agreements that could undermine Palestinian aspirations.
Trump’s defense of the crown prince has raised concerns about human rights and the message it sends to authoritarian regimes. Critics argue that it undermines accountability for Khashoggi’s murder and could embolden others to target journalists, potentially weakening global press freedom. The incident underscores the complexities of U.S. foreign policy, where strategic and economic interests often clash with ethical considerations, leaving future relations to navigate these tensions.
