US President Donald Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday over the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump claimed the Saudi leader “knew nothing” about the murder as he hosted him at the White House during a high-profile visit.

During the meeting, the US and Saudi Arabia finalised a civilian nuclear agreement and approved a major defence package involving future deliveries of F-35 fighter jets. Trump appeared eager to shift focus away from the murder and dismemberment of the Washington Post columnist.

President Trump on Jamal Khashoggi: “You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happened.” pic.twitter.com/iSXu5IVK6

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