US President Donald Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman despite a US intelligence report suggesting he was involved in the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist. Trump told reporters that “things happen” and the prince knew nothing about the murder.
Trump welcomed the crown prince to the White House with great fanfare, including an Army honor guard and a flyover of fighter jets. The two leaders signed deals on defense cooperation, artificial intelligence, and rare earth minerals.
Critics argue that Trump’s support for the Saudi leader is a mistake, particularly given Khashoggi’s murder and human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, Jamal’s widow, said she was disappointed with Trump’s description of her husband as “controversial” and unliked.
The US-Saudi relationship has been a subject of controversy under Trump, who has pushed for greater cooperation between the two countries despite concerns over human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/11/18/saudi-prince-trump-visit-white-house