Trump and Saudi crown prince bond over their contempt–and fear–of a free press.
In October 2018, US-based journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Arabian embassy in Istanbul. CIA concluded It was stated that the assassination was carried out by Saudi agents on the orders of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The prince denied the accusations, but other US intelligence agencies later made the same official assessment.
On Tuesday, President Trump heaped praise on the Saudi leader in his first invitation to the White House since the killing. “We’ve been really good friends for a long time,” Trump said. “We have always been on the same side on every issue.”
Frankly. Their shared disdain and fear of a free press was evident, from downplaying the killing of Khashoggi to asking about the murder of ABC News reporter Mary Bruce.
“There’s no need to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that,” Trump said, and then proceeded to belittle a journalist who wasn’t there to report on the event because he was silenced forever. Referring to Khashoggi, he said, “Many people did not like the gentleman you mentioned. Whether you like him or not, some things happen.”
Mohammed bin Salman (left) and Jamal Khashoggi.
(Associated Press / Tribune News Service)
Fender benders happen. Spilled milk happens. But the planned murder of a journalist by the regime he covers is not one of those “things” that just happen. This is a concerted attack aimed at silencing critics, controlling the narrative, and exposing corruption, human rights violations, or abuse of power that a healthy, free press should expose.
Bruce did what a talented reporter should do. Saudi Arabia deviated from its schedule on Tuesday! An agenda of asking tough questions of powerful men who are not used to being questioned about anything, let alone murder. The purpose of the meeting was to highlight the oil-rich country’s investment in the US economy, and Prince Mohammed said that, upon Trump’s guidance, these investments could total $1 trillion.
Referring to Khashoggi’s death, Prince Mohammed said that his country hopes to do better in the future. “This was a painful and huge mistake and we are doing our best to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
And just in case both men hadn’t made it clear how little they cared about the slain journalist and how much they despised the news media, Trump made those points clear by calling Bruce’s question “a terrible, insubordinate, terrible question.” He argues that the ABC should lose its broadcasting licence.
Trump confirmed on Tuesday that he plans to sell “high-end” F-35 stealth fighter jets to Riyadh. It is also worth noting that the team of 15 Saudi agents allegedly involved in the Khashoggi murder flew to Istanbul on a government plane. The reporter was persuaded to go to the Saudi embassy to obtain the necessary documents for his planned marriage to a Turkish woman.
Despite the findings in a 2021 report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Trump on Tuesday said the prince knew nothing about it. cited “Direct involvement of a key advisor and members of Mohammed bin Salman’s protective team.” The report concluded that “it is extremely unlikely that Saudi authorities would carry out an operation of this nature without the permission of the Crown Prince.”
To no one’s surprise, the Saudi government tried to evade the issue before claiming that Khashoggi was killed by rogue officials, insisting that the killing and dismemberment were not premeditated. They gave no explanation as to what kind of bone saw was found inside the embassy.
President Trump shaking hands with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House in 2018.
(MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Five people were sentenced to death, but one of Khashoggi’s sons later announced that the family forgave the killers and spared them from execution under Islamic law.
The president’s condemnation of ABC’s Bruce was the second time in a week that he attacked a female journalist who asked a “tough” question (i.e., a question Newsmax wouldn’t ask). While Trump was speaking to reporters on Air Force One last Friday, Bloomberg News’ Catherine Lucey asked him follow-up questions about the Epstein files. The chairman replied: “Be quiet. Be quiet, piggy.”
It was clear that Trump despised the press, but there was something else he shared with the crown prince, Hungary’s Victor Orban, and Vladimir Putin: The president doesn’t just hate the press. He is afraid of this.
