Trump Defends Saudi Crown Prince Amid Khashoggi Questions

US President Donald Trump had a tense exchange with a reporter in the Oval Office regarding his family's business dealings in Saudi Arabia and the Crown Prince's alleged involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This incident occurred during a lavish welcome for the Crown Prince, marking his first visit to Washington since Khashoggi's killing in 2018.

When pressed about the appropriateness of his family's business interests in Saudi Arabia while in office, Trump interrupted the reporter, asking, "Now, who are you with?" After learning the reporter was from ABC News, he dismissed the outlet as "one of the worst in the business." Trump asserted that he had distanced himself from his family's business, stating, "I have nothing to do with the family business... I’ve devoted 100% of my energy" to his presidential duties. He claimed that his family had engaged minimally with Saudi Arabia and described their dealings as "very good."

In response to the Khashoggi allegations, Trump praised the Crown Prince, saying, "He’s done a phenomenal job... He knew nothing about" the murder. He added, "You don’t have to embarrass our guests by asking a question like that."

The Crown Prince, known as MBS, addressed the Khashoggi incident, calling it a "huge mistake" and expressing his pain over the loss of life. He stated, "We've done all the right steps of investigation... and we are doing our best that this doesn't happen again."

During the visit, Trump lauded Saudi Arabia's human rights efforts, calling the Crown Prince's achievements "incredible." He emphasized the importance of Saudi investment in the US, claiming that Riyadh would invest around $600 billion in the American economy, potentially creating numerous jobs.

The day featured grand ceremonies, including a military flyover and a horse parade, showcasing Trump's commitment to strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia despite ongoing concerns about the Crown Prince's role in Khashoggi's death. MBS's visit aims to enhance his global standing while pursuing economic diversification and strategic partnerships in technology and defense.

Both leaders are expected to announce significant defense and commercial agreements, including the sale of F-35 fighter jets and a substantial investment in US artificial intelligence infrastructure.