Executive Summary
- President Trump dismissed questions regarding the 2018 murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, calling him “extremely controversial” and defending Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- Trump asserted that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had no involvement in Khashoggi’s killing and suggested the inquiry was intended to embarrass his guest.
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman acknowledged Khashoggi’s murder as “painful and it’s a huge mistake” and affirmed Saudi Arabia investigated to prevent recurrence, despite a 2021 CIA assessment concluding he likely approved the assassination.
The Story So Far
- The 2018 murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Turkey, which a 2021 CIA assessment concluded was likely approved by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman despite his consistent denials, provides the contentious background for President Trump’s defense of the Crown Prince during his first visit to Washington since the incident.
Why This Matters
- Donald Trump’s defense of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman concerning Jamal Khashoggi’s murder signals a continued prioritization of strategic US-Saudi relations over human rights concerns, potentially undermining international efforts for accountability and emboldening Saudi Arabia on the global stage.
Who Thinks What?
- President Trump dismissed inquiries into Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, describing Khashoggi as “extremely controversial” and defending Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman by asserting the Crown Prince had no involvement and that such questions were meant to embarrass him.
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman acknowledged Khashoggi’s murder as “painful” and a “huge mistake,” stating that Saudi Arabia conducted investigations to prevent recurrence, while consistently denying personal involvement.
- A 2021 assessment by the CIA concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman likely approved Khashoggi’s assassination, citing his control over decision-making and the direct involvement of key advisers.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed questions regarding the 2018 murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, claiming Khashoggi was “extremely controversial” and defending Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a meeting at the White House. Trump asserted that the Crown Prince had no involvement in the killing and suggested the inquiry was intended to embarrass his guest.
Trump’s Defense of Crown Prince
During the Oval Office meeting on November 18, 2025, Trump stated, “You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you liked him or didn’t like him, things happen.” He further insisted that Prince bin Salman “knew nothing about it,” adding, “You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that.”
Crown Prince’s Response
When questioned about Khashoggi’s murder, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman acknowledged it as “painful and it’s a huge mistake.” He described the incident as painful for Saudi Arabia and affirmed that the country “did all the right steps of investigation” to ensure such an event does not recur.
Background on Khashoggi Murder
The meeting marked Prince bin Salman’s first visit to Washington since 2018, months before Khashoggi was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Turkey. A 2021 assessment by the CIA concluded that the Crown Prince likely approved the assassination of the Washington Post columnist, citing his control over decision-making, the direct involvement of key advisers, and his support for using violent measures against dissidents abroad. Prince bin Salman has consistently denied any involvement in the killing.
