During a recent meeting in the Oval Office, President Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid inquiries regarding the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The CIA has concluded that the Crown Prince approved the 2018 operation that resulted in Khashoggi’s death at the Saudi consulate in Turkey. However, bin Salman has consistently denied knowledge of the incident, labeling it “heinous” and “unjustifiable.”
Trump’s Remarks on Khashoggi Case
When pressed about the CIA findings, Trump remarked, “You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial.” He stated that opinions about Khashoggi were divided and urged the media to refrain from embarrassing the Crown Prince. Trump emphasized that the Kingdom has taken measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, describing the situation as painful and a significant mistake.
U.S.-Saudi Investment Deal
The bilateral meeting also focused on a substantial economic agreement. Trump and bin Salman highlighted a deal projected to funnel hundreds of billions in Saudi investments into the United States. Following an earlier trip to Saudi Arabia, the White House announced a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia toward U.S. investment, which bin Salman noted could rise to nearly $1 trillion.
- $600 billion committed for U.S. investments
- Potential increase to $1 trillion in real investment
- Focus on technology, particularly artificial intelligence
Military Cooperation
On defense matters, discussions included the U.S. plans to sell F-35 aircraft to Saudi Arabia. Trump expressed confidence that Israel would view this deal favorably, contrary to concerns previously raised. Additionally, he mentioned the possibility of a formal civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia in the future, though he stated this is not an immediate priority.
Middle Eastern Diplomatic Relations
During the talks, the topic of the Abraham Accords was addressed. Salman did not state whether Saudi Arabia would pursue diplomatic relations with Israel but noted the importance of a two-state solution for Palestinians. He expressed a desire for Saudi Arabia to be part of a core group fostering regional relations and confirmed ongoing discussions with Trump on this issue.
The Crown Prince’s visit to the White House included plans for a dinner later that evening, continuing the discussions on the U.S.-Saudi relationship.
