Trump Meeting Crown Prince Shocks Khashoggi Widow, Sparks Outrage

Jamal Khashoggi’s widow has strongly criticized United States President Donald Trump after he warmly welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House. The meeting took place on Tuesday, marking the crown prince’s first official visit to Washington since the killing of Khashoggi in 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, the widow of the late journalist, said she felt “upset” and “disappointed” watching the meeting. She said she could not believe how openly Trump defended the crown prince, even though U.S. intelligence earlier concluded that the Saudi leader had ordered the killing.

Who Was Jamal Khashoggi?

Jamal Khashoggi was a well-known Saudi journalist who lived in the United States and wrote opinion articles that were often critical of Saudi Arabia’s government. He was a resident of Washington, D.C., and contributed to widely read American media.

On October 2, 2018, Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to complete paperwork needed for marriage. According to international investigations, he was strangled and then dismembered inside the building. His remains were never found.

The killing shocked the world, led to global condemnation, and created serious diplomatic tension between Saudi Arabia and Western countries.

Why His Widow Is Upset

Speaking in the United States, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi said she believes President Trump was given the wrong impression about her husband. She rejected Trump’s remarks describing Jamal as “controversial,” saying that he was a stable, brave, professional, and truthful journalist who only wanted a better future for his homeland.

Hanan expressed disappointment that instead of addressing concerns about the killing, Trump praised the crown prince and publicly defended him. She said that hearing this brought her great emotional pain, especially since she is still fighting for justice and answers.

US Intelligence Findings vs. Trump’s Stand

After the murder, a United States intelligence report released during the previous administration concluded that the Saudi crown prince had ordered the killing. However, during this week’s meeting, Trump repeated that Mohammed bin Salman “did not know” what happened and suggested that “things happen.”

This directly contradicted the findings of U.S. agencies and renewed criticism from human rights groups and supporters of press freedom.

Hanan Shocked by Trump Scolding Reporter

During the White House visit, an American journalist asked the crown prince whether he was responsible for Khashoggi’s death. Instead of allowing the question, President Trump cut off the reporter and accused him of trying to “embarrass” his guest.

Hanan said she was shocked to see a President reprimand a journalist for asking a question about a murder that had shaken the world. She noted that her husband had always believed in freedom of expression and the right to ask difficult questions. For her, this moment showed that democratic values were not being fully respected.

Widow Still Seeking Justice, Closure, and Dignity

Hanan revealed that she has written to President Trump in the past, hoping for support from the United States in her search for justice. She has been asking for:

• The return of her husband’s remains so he can receive a proper and dignified burial,

• A formal apology,

• Financial compensation, similar to what is usually expected in cases of unlawful death.

However, she said she never received a reply from the White House, leaving her feeling ignored.

Hanan has also requested a face-to-face meeting with the crown prince. She says she wants to ask him directly how she can finally obtain her husband’s remains and close this painful chapter.

Her Legal and Personal Situation

After Khashoggi’s death, Hanan was granted asylum in the United States for her safety. She said she has struggled emotionally but remains determined to fight for accountability.

Saudi officials have questioned whether she is truly Khashoggi’s legal wife, saying that the marriage was not properly registered. However, Hanan insists that she and Jamal were living as husband and wife and that she has every right to seek answers and justice.

Why This Meeting Matters Politically

This meeting between Trump and Mohammed bin Salman is seen as highly symbolic. It represents a possible reset of U.S.–Saudi relations at the highest level since the murder. It also shows that Trump is ready to move past the controversy and rebuild ties, especially as the crown prince has also offered major financial investments in the United States.

For critics, the meeting raises larger questions:

• Should the United States engage warmly with a leader accused of ordering a journalist’s murder?

• Does defending the crown prince send a message that human rights and press freedom are secondary?

• Does this weaken America’s global image as a protector of democratic values?

These concerns were strongly reflected in Hanan’s statements.

The Human Side of the Story

For Hanan, this is not only a political or media issue—it is personal. Her husband was taken away violently, and even today, she does not know where his remains are. She says she continues to relive the trauma each time world leaders treat the matter lightly or ignore her requests.

She explained that she is not seeking revenge but closure:

• She wants to bury her husband properly, according to tradition and dignity.

• She wants public recognition that what happened was wrong.

• She hopes that no other journalist or dissident faces the same fate in the future.

A Widow’s Message to the World

Hanan said she fears that powerful countries are turning away from justice for political convenience. She emphasized that her husband stood for truth, freedom, and transparency, and she hopes the world will not forget what happened.

She said that she will continue her fight for justice no matter how long it takes, because Jamal Khashoggi deserves dignity in death just as he worked with dignity in life.