'Trump’s justification upsets me’: Khashoggi’s widow condemns President’s stance on Jamal's murder

Key Concepts

• Jamal Khashoggi: Saudi journalist and critic of the Saudi regime, murdered in 2018.
• Hanan El-Attar Khashoggi: Wife of Jamal Khashoggi.
• Donald Trump: Former US President.
• Muhammad bin Salman (MBS): Saudi Crown Prince.
• US Intelligence Assessment: US intelligence findings suggesting MBS approved the operation to murder Jamal Khashoggi.
• Justice for Jamal: The pursuit of accountability and legal recourse for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
• Saudi Arabia-US Relations: The diplomatic and economic ties between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
• Conflict of Interest: A situation where personal interests could compromise professional judgment.

Hanan El-Attar Khashoggi's Reaction to Trump's Defense of MBS

Hanan El-Attar Khashoggi expressed her profound upset and disappointment with former US President Donald Trump's public defense of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) regarding the 2018 killing of her husband, Jamal Khashoggi. Trump had stated that MBS knew nothing about the assassination, a claim that contradicted US intelligence assessments.

• Core Grievance: Hanan stated, "Nothing can justify just a horrible crime because he's controversial or he's unliked by someone." She emphasized that the justification for such a "terrible crime – kidnapping, torture, and killing and dismantle a body" cannot be based on the victim's public perception.
• Personal Impact: She felt that Trump's description of MBS was inaccurate and did not reflect the true nature of Jamal. Hanan expressed a wish to meet President Trump to introduce him to the "real Jamal," describing him as a "transparent, brave, great man."
• Mixed Feelings: Hanan conveyed a complex emotional response. She felt "very sore" wishing Jamal were still alive to witness the potential for positive engagement with the US, as Jamal believed in Saudi Arabia's advancement and normalization of relations with the world, including the US. She acknowledged Jamal's desire for Saudi Arabia to be a "normal country" with strong ties to the US, potentially involving arms deals, and his wish for his country to be "safe and to be advanced."
• Unfinished Business: Simultaneously, she stressed the importance of not neglecting the "unfinished business" of Jamal's tragedy. She highlighted the lack of tangible action towards justice, noting that MBS had verbally taken responsibility in a 2019 interview but had not taken further steps.

Lack of Justice and Accountability

Hanan detailed the absence of justice and accountability following Jamal's murder:

• No Transparent Trial: She stated that no transparent trial has occurred.
• Lawyer Imprisoned: Her Saudi lawyer, who represented her, is currently in jail simply for representing her.
• No Official Apology or Compensation: Hanan has not received an official apology or financial compensation.
• Life Destroyed: She asserted that her life has been destroyed by the events.
• The Long Battle for Justice: Hanan described justice as "very hard to get" and a "very long battle," particularly challenging as a woman standing alone.
• Second Victim: She views herself as the "second victim," stating, "They killed Jamal and they killed me in the same day they killed Jamal."

Confrontation and Trump's Remarks

The transcript includes a segment that appears to be from a press conference or public interaction where a reporter confronts an official (presumably Trump or someone associated with him) about business dealings with Saudi Arabia and the intelligence assessment regarding MBS.

• Reporter's Question: A reporter questioned the appropriateness of the President's family conducting business with Saudi Arabia while he is president, citing a conflict of interest. The reporter also directly addressed MBS, stating, "the US intelligence concluded that you orchestrated the brutal murder of a journalist." The reporter also mentioned the anger of 9/11 families.
• Trump's Response: Trump's response, as quoted, defended MBS by downplaying Jamal Khashoggi's controversial nature: "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. You don't have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that."
• Focus on US-Saudi Relations: Trump also referenced the 9/11 attacks, suggesting that Osama bin Laden used Saudi individuals to "destroy this relation" between the US and Saudi Arabia, implying a broader geopolitical context.

Background of the Khashoggi Murder

The transcript briefly reiterates the context of Jamal Khashoggi's murder:

• US Resident and Critic: Jamal Khashoggi was a US resident and a critic of the Saudi regime.
• Chilled Relations: His murder significantly strained relations between the US and Saudi Arabia.
• US Intelligence Findings: US intelligence suggested that Prince Muhammad approved the operation to murder him.
• Saudi Denial: Saudi authorities deny this allegation.

Synthesis and Conclusion

The core takeaway from this transcript is the profound personal anguish and the ongoing struggle for justice experienced by Hanan El-Attar Khashoggi in the wake of her husband Jamal's murder. Her testimony highlights the deep chasm between the pursuit of accountability and the geopolitical and economic interests that appear to influence international responses, particularly from the US under Donald Trump. Trump's defense of MBS, which contradicted US intelligence, is seen by Hanan not only as a dismissal of the severity of the crime but also as a personal affront that invalidates the memory of her husband. The lack of a transparent trial, the imprisonment of her lawyer, and the absence of any formal acknowledgment or redress underscore the immense difficulty in achieving justice in this case. Hanan's unwavering determination to persist, despite these obstacles, positions her as a symbol of resilience in the face of systemic challenges to accountability. The transcript also touches upon the complex interplay between human rights, international relations, and economic considerations, as exemplified by the reporter's questions about conflicts of interest and Trump's focus on the strategic importance of the US-Saudi relationship.