In a stunning Oval Office appearance that drew international condemnation, President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that slain Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi may have been responsible for his own brutal murder while seated beside the man the CIA concluded ordered the killing.
Controversial Remarks Beside Alleged Murder Planner
Trump made the remarks while Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sat just feet away, receiving red-carpet treatment during his Washington visit. "You're mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about," Trump told reporters when asked about Khashoggi's murder.
The president continued with ambiguous phrasing that appeared to shift blame toward the journalist: "Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happened." Trump then chastised the reporter who asked the question for disrespecting the Saudi crown prince to his face.
"He 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," Trump asserted, despite overwhelming intelligence evidence to the contrary.
CIA Findings Contradict White House Narrative
The CIA investigation concluded just six weeks after the October 2, 2018 murder that Khashoggi's killers acted at bin Salman's direct direction. The agency found that the journalist was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, and his body was dismembered with a bone saw to facilitate removal without detection.
Despite these findings, Saudi authorities have not prosecuted any senior figures involved in the plot. The kingdom continues to jail and execute critics of the regime, raising serious questions about human rights improvements.
For his part, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman denied any involvement in the assassination of the prominent regime critic. "It's really painful to hear, you know, anyone that been losing his life for, uh, you know, no real purpose or nothing illegal," the crown prince told reporters.
Business Ties and Military Deals Raise Concerns
The warm reception for the Saudi leader included state-visit-like formal dinners and significant policy concessions, despite bin Salman not yet being the head of state. Trump lavished praise on the crown prince, stating "I'm very proud of the job he's done" and calling his work on human rights "incredible."
Simultaneously, Trump's personal business was making major agreements with Saudi Arabia that could enrich the president personally by millions. Trump claimed he has nothing to do with these dealings, stating they are entirely run by his children.
In a significant military development, the administration will permit Saudi Arabia to purchase F-35 fighter jets, among the most advanced stealth warplanes the United States produces. Defense Department officials have expressed concerns that this technology transfer could eventually benefit China.
The Oval Office exchange represents a dramatic departure from traditional diplomatic norms and raises serious questions about the administration's commitment to human rights and journalistic freedom.
