In a controversial move, former President Donald Trump came to the defense of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who was implicated by US intelligence in the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump downplayed the incident, stating that Khashoggi was a divisive figure and suggesting that the Crown Prince was unaware of the killing, dismissing it as “things happen.”
Khashoggi, known for his critical views of the Saudi regime, entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, for paperwork related to his upcoming marriage. Tragically, he was reportedly murdered and dismembered inside the consulate. Turkish authorities discovered evidence of the crime and tampering with the scene.
The United Nations has since attributed the “premeditated extrajudicial execution” of Khashoggi to the Saudi government. Despite international condemnation, Trump has consistently shown admiration for Saudi Arabia and its leadership.
During a White House event welcoming the Crown Prince, Trump faced questioning from ABC News regarding Khashoggi’s murder. In response, Trump criticized the reporter, labeling the inquiry as “fake news” and defended Salman, suggesting that the journalist’s death was not orchestrated by the Saudi leader.
When asked about the warm reception given to the Crown Prince in light of objections from 9/11 families, Salman expressed sympathy for the families affected by the tragic event and claimed that Osama Bin Laden had exploited Saudi nationals in the 9/11 attacks to strain US-Saudi relations.
Regarding Khashoggi’s killing, Salman acknowledged it as a grave error and reassured that steps were being taken to prevent such incidents in the future. He expressed sorrow over the loss of any life without a just cause and emphasized the thoroughness of the investigative process.
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