President Donald Trump addressed the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a press conference with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. When asked about Khashoggi's killing, Trump stated, "things happen" and insisted that the crown prince had no knowledge of the incident.

The question was posed by an ABC News reporter, who highlighted the ongoing criticism surrounding Khashoggi's death. Trump responded by labeling the network as "fake news" and emphasized that Khashoggi was a controversial figure. "A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen," Trump said. He added, "But he knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that. You don’t have to embarrass our guests by asking a question like that."

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, expressed his own sentiments regarding Khashoggi's death. He described it as "really painful" and stated, "It’s painful and it’s a huge mistake, and we are doing our best that this does not happen again." The Saudi government has maintained that rogue operatives were responsible for Khashoggi's murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. An investigation cleared the crown prince of direct involvement, although a U.S. intelligence report indicated he had authorized the operation.

The relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia has been complicated since Khashoggi's murder. Under President Joe Biden, the crown prince was labeled a "pariah" due to his alleged role in the killing. However, Biden later sought to improve relations, particularly in light of rising oil prices.

During the press conference, Trump praised the crown prince, calling him a "very good friend" and commending his efforts in various areas, including human rights. The two leaders discussed potential investments, with bin Salman raising his investment pledge from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion. Following the press conference, Trump and the crown prince held a bilateral lunch to further discuss their partnership.