Trump calls Jamal Khashoggi 'extremely controversial' and defends Saudi crown prince in Oval Office

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump dismissed a question on Tuesday, November 18, about the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, describing him as “extremely controversial” and suggesting that the topic was raised only to embarrass Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during their White House meeting.

“You’re mentioning somebody who was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “Whether you liked him or didn’t like him, things happen, but he knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that.”

Trump repeated that sentiment moments later, insisting that the crown prince was uninvolved. “He knew nothing about it… You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that,” the president said.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman defends inquiry

Responding to a rare Oval Office question about the murder, Mohammed bin Salman called Khashoggi’s killing “painful” and “a huge mistake,” defending Saudi Arabia’s handling of the investigation.

“It’s really painful to hear anyone losing his life for no real purpose or not in a legal way,” he said. “We did all the right steps of investigation, and we are doing our best that this doesn’t happen again.”

The prince last visited Washington in 2018, months before Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Trump praises the crown prince on human rights

Before any questions were asked, Trump opened the meeting by hailing the crown prince’s “incredible” record on human rights.

“We have an extremely respected man in the Oval Office today… a very good friend of mine, and I’m very proud of the job he’s done,” Trump said.

“What he’s done is incredible, in terms of human rights and everything else. And he’s the crown prince, the future king,” he added.

Before the meeting, Trump escorted the crown prince into the Oval Office, along the West Colonnade beside his curated gallery of presidential portraits, a display he calls the “Presidential Walk of Fame.”

Trump says Saudi Arabia will purchase F-35 fighter jets

Trump also said that Saudi Arabia will purchase F-35 fighter jets from the US.

“They’re going to purchase F-35s. They’re buying them from Lockheed. And it’s a great plane. We make, by the way, the best military equipment,” Trump said in the Oval Office during his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Asked about Israel’s reaction to the deal, Trump said, “Israel is aware, and they’re going to be very happy.”

Riyadh has long sought the F-35s, one of the most advanced military jets in the world.