In a stunning defence of a key Middle Eastern ally, former US President Donald Trump has publicly absolved Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of any involvement in the brutal killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, casually dismissing the state-sanctioned murder with the phrase "things happen".
A Lavish Welcome and a Chilling Defence
During an opulent Oval Office event designed to roll out the red carpet for the Saudi leader, Trump was confronted by an ABC News reporter about the 2018 murder. The former president immediately launched an attack on the journalist, labelling her "fake news" for what he deemed an embarrassing question directed at his guest.
Trump proceeded to defend the Crown Prince, whom US intelligence agencies concluded ordered the "premeditated extrajudicial execution" of Khashoggi. In his remarks, Trump characterised the Washington Post columnist as a "controversial" figure, stating "a lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about." He unequivocally asserted that the Prince "knew nothing about it" before delivering his infamous, dismissive conclusion.
The Gruesome Details of the Istanbul Consulate Murder
The backdrop to this political firestorm is one of the most notorious state crimes in recent history. On 2 October 2018, Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to collect documents necessary for his upcoming wedding.
He never emerged. It is widely believed that he was killed inside the building by a Saudi hit squad before being dismembered with a bone saw. Turkish officials discovered substantial evidence of the murder and subsequent tampering at the scene. A United Nations investigation later held the Saudi state responsible for the vicious killing.
Consequences and Continued Alliances
During the same White House visit, Prince Mohammed bin Salman was also questioned about the 9/11 families who expressed outrage at his warm reception. He claimed to feel "painful" about their suffering but shifted blame, suggesting Osama Bin Laden used Saudi citizens in the attacks to sabotage US-Saudi relations.
Regarding Khashoggi, the Crown Prince called the murder a "huge mistake" and claimed Saudi Arabia had "done all the right steps of investigation." This stance, coupled with Trump's public defence, underscores the complex and often contentious nature of the diplomatic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, where strategic interests frequently overshadow human rights concerns.
