Trump Defends Saudi Crown Prince, Dismisses Khashoggi Murder Claims

US President Donald Trump has defended Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), insisting that the Saudi ruler “knew nothing” about the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. His comments, made during the Crown Prince’s visit to Washington, have reignited a global debate over justice, accountability, and the US-Saudi partnership.

Trump described the incident as “a huge mistake” and repeated the Saudi assertion that Riyadh took “all the right steps” in investigating what happened inside its Istanbul consulate. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and outspoken critic of Saudi policies, was killed and dismembered by Saudi agents—a case that shocked the world and severely strained Saudi-US ties.

Despite the findings of US intelligence agencies—declassified in 2021—which concluded that MBS had likely approved the operation, Trump stood firm in his defence of the Saudi leader.
“Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen,” Trump said, calling Khashoggi “extremely controversial” and claiming that “a lot of people didn’t like” the veteran journalist. He further urged reporters not to “embarrass our guest” by questioning the Crown Prince about the murder.

A Reset in US-Saudi Relations

The Crown Prince’s visit marks his first trip to the White House in seven years, signalling an attempt to reset ties after years of diplomatic tension. Trump welcomed him warmly, calling the Prince an “indispensable player” in shaping the Middle East’s future.

According to Trump, Saudi Arabia has made “incredible strides” on human rights under MBS—an assessment strongly disputed by global watchdogs.

Human Rights Groups Question Trump’s Claims

Human rights activists responded sharply, calling Trump’s comments “shameful” and “deeply troubling.” They argue that Saudi Arabia continues to clamp down on free expression, with journalists, political dissidents, and human rights defenders facing arrests, long prison sentences, and—often—harsh executions.

Advocates also highlight a surge in executions in the Kingdom, many linked to political charges. Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, said Trump’s remarks cannot be separated from his “personal business interests” with the Saudi leadership.

“These comments whitewash a brutal murder,” he said, adding that attempting to downplay Khashoggi’s killing sends a “dangerous message” to authoritarian regimes worldwide.

Saudi Arabia’s Position: ‘A Painful, Huge Mistake’

Prince Mohammed bin Salman has continued to deny ordering the killing. During the Washington meeting, he said Saudi Arabia took “all the right steps” after the tragedy, calling the murder “painful” and “a huge mistake” committed by rogue elements within the system.

However, critics maintain that Saudi investigations lacked transparency and fell far short of international accountability standards.

Why This Matters Now

The renewed controversy comes during a crucial geopolitical moment. With shifting alliances, global energy demands, and rising regional instability, Washington’s relationship with Riyadh remains strategically important. But Trump’s comments—contradicting his own intelligence agencies—raise pressing questions:

• Can the US maintain moral authority while overlooking high-profile human rights abuses?

• Will this set a precedent for future diplomatic compromises?

• Does this deepen mistrust between Washington and its intelligence community?

As global reactions intensify, the debate over accountability for Jamal Khashoggi’s killing is far from over. And with Trump once again openly aligning himself with the Saudi Crown Prince, the issue is expected to remain at the center of international scrutiny.