U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had no knowledge of the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, directly contradicting the conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies as he welcomed the Saudi leader back to the White House for the first time in more than seven years.
The comments reopened a long-running controversy surrounding the death of the Washington Post columnist, whose murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul sparked global outrage. Bin Salman arrived in Washington seeking to strengthen ties that had frayed in the aftermath of the incident, even as human rights groups continue to condemn his record on dissent.
During the Oval Office appearance, Trump dismissed the intelligence assessment that bin Salman approved the operation. “Things happened, but he knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that,” Trump told reporters, adding that “a lot of people didn’t like that gentleman” as the crown prince sat beside him.
Bin Salman called Khashoggi’s death “painful” and said Saudi authorities had taken “all the right steps of investigation.” He added that the kingdom had strengthened internal procedures to prevent a repeat of such an incident.
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Trump praised the crown prince for what he described as an “incredible” record on human rights, a comment he did not elaborate on. The response drew sharp criticism from Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, who told Reuters that “nothing can justify such a horrible crime,” adding that she hoped Trump would meet her to understand “the real Jamal.”
Rights groups have repeatedly condemned bin Salman not only for the killing but also for sweeping arrests of activists and critics within Saudi Arabia. At the same time, the crown prince has overseen major social changes, loosening long-standing restrictions in the kingdom.
Despite the renewed attention on Khashoggi, the White House visit produced a series of major announcements reflecting the administration’s desire to strengthen the partnership between the world’s largest economy and its top oil exporter.
Trump said he would designate Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, a status that provides military and economic advantages. A White House fact sheet said both sides signed a Strategic Defense Agreement focused on strengthening deterrence in the Middle East, easing the way for U.S. defense firms in the kingdom and securing new financial contributions from Riyadh to help offset U.S. costs.
The administration also approved future deliveries of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, the first time Washington has agreed to sell the advanced aircraft to the kingdom. Riyadh has requested 48 of the jets, a major shift that could reshape regional military dynamics. Until now, Israel has been the only Middle Eastern country to operate the stealth aircraft.
As bin Salman prepares to address corporate leaders at an investment summit in Washington on Wednesday, both governments appear intent on advancing economic and security cooperation even as the Khashoggi case continues to cast a shadow.