Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi murder: 'Things happen'

Key Concepts

Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MBS): Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
Jamal Khashoggi: Washington Post journalist murdered in 2018.
F-35 Fighter Jet: Advanced stealth fighter jet manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
Abraham Accords: Agreements normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
Palestinian Statehood: The establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Conflict of Interest: A situation where personal interests could compromise professional judgment.
US Intelligence Community: Agencies responsible for gathering and analyzing intelligence for the US government.

Summary of White House Meeting with Saudi Crown Prince

This report details the meeting between President Trump and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) at the White House, highlighting the complex dynamics of their relationship, business dealings, and geopolitical objectives.

Trump's Hero's Welcome and Business Ties

President Trump extended a "hero's welcome" to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, describing him as an "extremely respected man" and a "very good friend." This reception comes amidst significant business ties between the Trump family and Saudi Arabia. The transcript notes that the Trump Organization has multiple projects in the works in Saudi Arabia, including Trump Towers in Jeddah and Riyadh, and another project underway. The report also mentions a new project in the Maldives with a Saudi development company, a partner the Trump Organization has worked with previously. President Trump, however, stated he has "nothing to do with the family business" and that it has "very little to do with Saudi Arabia," while also suggesting they "could be doing a lot more" business.

Security Pact and Nuclear Deal Ambitions

The Crown Prince's visit aimed to secure a security pact and a nuclear deal with the United States. This aligns with the announcement made by President Trump the previous day regarding the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

The Jamal Khashoggi Murder Controversy

A significant point of contention during the press conference was the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. The US intelligence community assessed that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the killing. Despite MBS denying ordering the operation, he ultimately took responsibility as the de facto leader of the Saudi government.

During the Q&A, ABC News correspondent Mary Bruce directly questioned both leaders:

She asked President Trump if it was appropriate for his family to be doing business in Saudi Arabia while he is president, citing a conflict of interest.
She also addressed the Crown Prince, stating that US intelligence concluded he orchestrated the murder and that 9/11 families are furious he is in the Oval Office, questioning why Americans should trust him.

President Trump's response was notable:

He claimed he has "nothing to do with the family business" and has "devoted 100% of my energy" elsewhere.
Regarding Khashoggi, he stated, "I have nothing to do with it. I have left and when I I've devoted 100% of my energy. What my family does is fine. 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. But he knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that."
He also criticized Mary Bruce, suggesting she was "embarrassing the president's guest in the Oval Office."

The Crown Prince, while not directly addressing the intelligence findings, stated that Saudi Arabia "did the right things with investigating that" but clearly "did not like the question." The report emphasizes the "stunning moment" and the president's statement being "in direct contradiction to what the US intelligence community concluded."

F-35 Sale and Regional Advantage

President Trump announced the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that raises questions about Israel's military advantage in the region. When pressed on whether these would be the same jets provided to Israel, President Trump did not answer directly.

Abraham Accords and Saudi Normalization with Israel

A key agenda item was President Trump's push for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel. President Trump expressed optimism, believing he could achieve this. The Crown Prince confirmed discussions took place with a "positive outcome" anticipated. However, the Saudis have reiterated their stance that normalization is contingent on a "clear path to Palestinian statehood," a condition currently not supported by the Israelis.

Saudi Investment in the US

The meeting also touched upon Saudi Arabia's promised investment of $600 billion in the United States, a figure President Trump believes he can increase to $1 trillion due to his close relationship with MBS.

Conclusion

The meeting between President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was characterized by a warm reception from the President, despite significant controversies surrounding the Crown Prince, including the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. The discussions focused on potential security and nuclear deals, the sale of advanced weaponry, and the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The report highlights the tension between the President's personal and business interests, his administration's foreign policy objectives, and the findings of US intelligence agencies, particularly concerning the Khashoggi case. The Crown Prince's visit underscores Saudi Arabia's strategic importance to the US, particularly in the context of regional stability and economic investment.