'Don't Embarrass Our Guest': Trump Says MBS Knew Nothing About Jamal Khashoggi's Murder

Last Updated:November 18, 2025, 23:50 IST

Making his first appearance at the White House since Khashoggi’s murder, Prince Mohammed described the killing as a “mistake"

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday abruptly intervened when a reporter questioned Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, urging the press not to “embarrass our guest" during the prince’s high-visibility visit to Washington.

After the reporter introduced himself as being from ABC, Trump retorted, “You are fake news," and insisted the crown prince “knew nothing about that," arguing that the issue should not be raised during the official welcome ceremony.

Making his first appearance at the White House since Khashoggi’s murder, Prince Mohammed described the killing as a “mistake," saying Khashoggi “lost his life for no real reason" and calling the incident “painful."

He added that Saudi Arabia is working to ensure such an event “never happens again."

Trump praised Saudi Arabia’s human rights trajectory, calling the crown prince’s efforts “incredible."

“I’m very proud of the job he’s done. What he’s accomplished is incredible — in human rights and in other areas," he said.

The White House greeted the delegation with an elaborate reception that included cannon salutes, a military flyover of F-35 jets, and a full ceremonial welcome on the South Lawn.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays in the Saudi Pro League, was expected to participate in the day’s events.

Trump also lauded the kingdom as a “great ally," highlighting $600 billion in Saudi investment commitments in the United States and suggesting the figure “could go up a little higher."

He confirmed that the US would move forward with the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Riyadh, despite concerns from US lawmakers and Israel regarding technology security and regional military dynamics.

During the visit, the two countries are slated to sign a civilian nuclear cooperation framework and unveil new Saudi investments in American artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Behind the ceremonial fanfare, US and Saudi officials are expected to discuss security guarantees, regional tensions, the precarious situation in Gaza after the war, and the broader issue of normalising Saudi-Israeli relations, a goal Trump has long championed.

Riyadh, however, maintains that substantial progress on Palestinian statehood remains a prerequisite.

News world 'Don't Embarrass Our Guest': Trump Says MBS Knew Nothing About Jamal Khashoggi's Murder

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