Trump downplays journalist’s murder as he hosts Saudi leader
Washington: President Donald Trump downplayed the killing of Saudi journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi, rolling out the red carpet for Saudi Arabian leader Mohammed bin Salman, saying “things happen” and admonishing journalists for embarrassing the Saudi prince.
The prime minister and crown prince are making his first visit to Washington since 2018 – months before the assassination – amid great fanfare at the White House, which hosted the kingdom’s de facto ruler with a welcome ceremony, red carpet entrance and a state dinner later tonight.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was welcomed with a lavish red carpet ceremony at the White House.Credit: access point
Khashoggi’s fate remains a hot topic in the United States, where he was at the Saudi Consulate in Türkiye at the time of the murder. He wrote for Washington Post And Middle East Eyeand criticized the crown prince.
The Central Intelligence Agency concluded that Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia initially denied the killing, then claimed it was a spontaneous fisticuffs and later blamed it on rogue operators.
When the two leaders met in the Oval Office on Wednesday (AEDT), Trump scolded a journalist from ABC News America for asking about Khashoggi’s killing, then downplayed it and disputed the CIA assessment.
“You’re talking about someone [Khashoggi] this was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn’t like the gentleman you mentioned,” Trump said.
“Some things happen whether you love him or not. But he [Mohammed bin Salman] We didn’t know anything about it and we can leave it at that. “There is no need to embarrass our guest by asking such a question.”
‘Things are happening’: Trump downplayed the killing and disputed the CIA’s assessment that Crown Prince Mohammed was responsible.Credit: access point
Mohammed said the incident was a “big mistake” and painful for Saudi Arabia, but defended his country’s record.
