Donald Trump has come to the defense of the Saudi leader accused of orchestrating the brutal murder of a US-based journalist. During a press event, Trump criticized a reporter for bringing up the topic, stating that it was embarrassing to his guest.
In his controversial remarks, Trump supported Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, despite US intelligence reports from 2018 indicating that Salman ordered the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist critical of the Saudi regime. Trump downplayed the murder, claiming that Khashoggi was a divisive figure and that Salman had no knowledge of the incident.
Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 for official documents but was allegedly murdered and dismembered inside the building using a bone saw. Turkish officials uncovered evidence of the crime and subsequent tampering.
The United Nations has held the Saudi government responsible for the premeditated killing of Khashoggi. Trump, who has consistently praised Saudi Arabia and its leadership, faced questions about the murder during a meeting with Crown Prince Salman at the Oval Office, responding by labeling the inquiry as “fake news.”
Salman was also questioned about the warm welcome he received at the White House, particularly in light of concerns expressed by families of 9/11 victims. He expressed sorrow for the families’ pain and attributed the 9/11 attacks to Osama bin Laden’s manipulation of Saudi individuals to damage US-Saudi relations.
Regarding Khashoggi’s murder, Salman acknowledged it as a significant error and assured that measures were being taken to prevent such incidents in the future. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that losing a life without a just cause is distressing, and highlighted the thorough investigation conducted by Saudi authorities.
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