Washington, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a recent Oval Office meeting, asserting the prince had no involvement in the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This statement contradicts findings from U.S. intelligence agencies and a United Nations investigation, which have implicated the crown prince in the assassination.
During the meeting with bin Salman, Trump dismissed questions about Khashoggi’s murder. “Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen. But [Prince Mohammed] knew nothing about it,” he said, urging journalists to refrain from embarrassing the visiting leader with such inquiries.
However, a report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in 2021 concluded that Prince Mohammed approved the operation in Istanbul that led to Khashoggi’s death. The journalist was killed inside the Saudi consulate while attempting to secure documentation for his divorce. Intelligence assessments revealed that a 15-member team, reportedly including members of the prince’s personal security, carried out the assassination.
Khashoggi’s killing sparked global outrage and left the Saudi crown prince with a tarnished reputation. He has publicly acknowledged his role as the kingdom’s de facto ruler but continues to deny orchestrating the hit. The vindication of his actions remains a point of contention.
Details of Khashoggi’s murder emerged partly due to surveillance conducted by Turkish intelligence. Reports indicate that he was lured into the consulate where he was ultimately overpowered and killed. Conversations recorded in the consulate captured the chilling planning involved, with discussions surrounding how to dismember his body for removal.
The UN’s special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions described the findings as harrowing. An account detailed how Khashoggi was likely sedated before being suffocated with a plastic bag, and subsequent sound analysis suggested a saw was used in the dismemberment process. CCTV footage showed members of the kill team transporting what appeared to be Khashoggi’s remains out of the consulate.
In a recent statement, bin Salman characterized the incident as deeply painful and acknowledged that the kingdom took appropriate steps in the aftermath. “It’s painful and it’s a huge mistake,” he lamented.
Trump’s comments have drawn sharp criticism, including from Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr. She expressed disbelief at the former president’s remarks, emphasizing that nothing could justify such a heinous act. Elatr has sought a personal meeting with Trump to share the true essence of her late husband, reinforcing the emotional toll of Khashoggi’s death and the unresolved quest for justice.
The ongoing discourse surrounding Khashoggi’s murder highlights the complex relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, especially as Trump seeks to strengthen ties with the kingdom. As leaders navigate this fraught diplomatic landscape, the legacy of Khashoggi and the implications of his death remain pressing issues on the global stage.