Trump Defends Saudi Crown Prince Over Khashoggi Murder While Securing Major US-Saudi Deals

Trump's remarks contradicted a 2021 US intelligence assessment that claimed the Crown Prince authorized the operation to kill Khashoggi.

US President Donald Trump vigorously defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday regarding the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, asserting that the kingdom's de facto ruler "knew nothing" about the murder during their meeting at the White House.

The United States and Saudi Arabia endorsed a civilian nuclear agreement and approved the sale of F-35 jets as Trump attempted to downplay the murder and dismemberment of the Washington Post columnist.

Trump became visibly angry at a journalist who questioned the prince in the Oval Office about the case, accusing the reporter of "embarrassing" the Saudi royal on his first US visit since the murder, and described Khashoggi as "extremely controversial."

"A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about," he stated.

"Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happened, but he (the prince) knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that. You don't have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that."

The Saudi royal, who arrived with a promise of a $1 trillion investment in the United States during his first US visit since the killing, described Khashoggi's murder as "painful" and a "huge mistake."

Trump's statements contradicted a US intelligence assessment from 2021 that concluded Prince Mohammed had ordered the operation to kill Khashoggi, who was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Saudi officials attributed the killing to rogue agents.

The journalist's widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, stated there was "no justification to murder my husband" and urged the Saudi prince to "meet me, apologize and compensate me."

The killing during Trump's first term precipitated a diplomatic crisis, but the US president clearly indicated his desire to move past it as he strengthens his relationship with the Saudis.

Trump called for US broadcaster ABC, whose journalist asked about Khashoggi's murder, to have its license revoked in a furious tirade against the "crappy" company.

Earlier, Trump, 79, made elaborate efforts to impress Prince Mohammed, 40, organizing a flyby featuring the coveted, US-made F-35 stealth fighters and thundering cannon fire.

The flattery continued inside the Oval Office, as Trump called the Saudi a "very good friend" and praised him as being "incredible, in terms of human rights, and everything else."

The two countries subsequently signed multiple agreements to deepen their cooperation.

The White House announced they ratified a "civil nuclear energy cooperation deal" for a multi-billion-dollar partnership between the US and the kingdom that would span decades.

Trump also approved a "major defense sale package" which includes "future deliveries" of F-35s. They additionally agreed to share AI technology "while protecting US technology from foreign influence."

The ceremonial events continued later with a gala dinner hosted by First Lady Melania Trump. Portuguese soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays in Saudi Arabia, was also expected at the White House, according to a US official.

Trump mentioned he had urged Prince Mohammed to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, as he seeks to transform the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza into a more enduring regional peace.

The Saudi prince expressed interest in joining the accords – Trump's signature diplomatic achievement during his first term – but indicated he first needed a "clear path" to Palestinian statehood.

Prince Mohammed has cultivated close ties with Trump and his family over the years, including through investment commitments to the property billionaire-turned-US president.

Trump denied any conflicts of interest, a day after a Saudi developer announced a new hotel partnership in the Maldives with the Trump Organization, which is managed by his sons.

"I have nothing to do with the family business. I have left," Trump declared.