Background on the Khashoggi Case
Khashoggi, a Saudi columnist who wrote extensively about the kingdom’s leadership, was killed on Oct. 2, 2018, after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork for his upcoming marriage. Turkish investigators concluded that a team of Saudi operatives carried out the operation, and his remains have never been found.
In February 2021, the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a declassified report stating that Mohammed bin Salman approved the operation that led to Khashoggi’s death. The assessment cited the prince’s “absolute control” of the kingdom’s security and intelligence apparatus. (ODNI declassified assessment)
Trump’s Ongoing Defense
During his presidency, Trump resisted bipartisan calls for stronger penalties on Riyadh, emphasizing arms sales and intelligence cooperation. At Tuesday’s dinner, he returned to those themes, pointing to “billions in trade” and shared opposition to Iran. “We’ve built a relationship that keeps America safer,” he said. Reporters pressed him on whether the relationship should be reevaluated in light of the findings by U.S. intelligence and human-rights groups. Trump replied that “we can’t change the past” and that the Crown Prince “has done many good things for his country.”
The Saudi guest list included senior ministers and business executives involved in ongoing projects with U.S. defense contractors. According to an aide who helped organize the event, no senior officials from the current U.S. administration attended. The White House declined to comment on whether it had been consulted on the crown prince’s visit.
Reactions from U.S. Lawmakers
Members of Congress from both parties criticized Trump’s remarks. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Chris Murphy said in a statement that “dismissing a murder as something that ‘happens’ undermines America’s moral authority.” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, once a close ally of Trump, called the comments “unhelpful,” stating that the U.S. “must not ignore brutal acts against journalists.”
Despite the criticism, no immediate legislative action was announced. Previous efforts to impose sanctions on Saudi officials stalled amid concerns over oil markets and security agreements. Several lawmakers indicated that any new measures would likely depend on the outcome of ongoing court cases related to Khashoggi’s death.
Saudi Position
Saudi officials accompanying the crown prince reiterated the kingdom’s stance that a rogue team carried out the killing without direct orders from senior leadership. They pointed to a Saudi court’s 2019 ruling that sentenced five individuals to 20 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter as evidence that the matter has been resolved domestically.
Asked whether the crown prince would meet with members of the current U.S. administration during his stay, a Saudi embassy spokesperson said no such meetings were scheduled, emphasizing that the visit was “primarily private” and focused on “investment opportunities.”
Human-Rights Advocates Respond
Human-rights organizations condemned Trump’s latest defense of the crown prince. Amnesty International said the former president’s remarks “trivialize a premeditated crime.” Reporters Without Borders warned that minimizing the killing could embolden further attacks on journalists worldwide. Both groups urged the U.S. government to maintain pressure on Riyadh to disclose the whereabouts of Khashoggi’s remains and to allow an independent investigation.
Next Steps
The crown prince is expected to travel to New York later in the week for meetings with institutional investors. Trump plans to remain in Washington for a series of fund-raisers ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Neither camp indicated plans for additional joint appearances during the trip.
Meanwhile, a federal lawsuit filed by Khashoggi’s fiancée and the organization Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) against Mohammed bin Salman remains pending in U.S. District Court. The crown prince has sought immunity, arguing that his official position shields him from civil litigation. A hearing is scheduled for early December.
Though Tuesday’s dinner was closed to press coverage after the initial photo op, a brief video clip released by the event’s organizers showed Trump and Mohammed bin Salman exchanging handshakes and making short remarks about “mutual respect.” The clip did not include further discussion of Khashoggi’s death.
Crédito da imagem: ABC News Live
