TAIPEI (TVBS News) — U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was unaware of the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This statement came during bin Salman's visit to the White House on Tuesday (Nov. 18). This visit is his first since the Khashoggi murder, which U.S. intelligence linked to the Crown Prince.
At a press conference, Trump interrupted an ABC News reporter questioning bin Salman about Khashoggi's murder, labeling ABC as "fake news." Trump insisted bin Salman knew "nothing" about the incident and commended his performance, underscoring diplomatic courtesy. Bin Salman expressed regret for Khashoggi's murder, affirming that Saudi Arabia had executed a thorough investigation and enhanced preventive measures.
Trump welcomed bin Salman to the White House with a Marine Corps band and a flyover of F-15 and F-35 jets. Trump sought to boost U.S.-Saudi relations by proposing Saudi investments in the U.S. rise from US$600 billion to US$1 trillion. Bin Salman agreed, aligning with Saudi Arabia's sovereign fund size.
The Trump Organization has partnered with Saudi developers on Trump-branded projects. Jared Kushner's private equity firm secured a US$2 billion investment from a bin Salman-led fund. Trump denied conflicts of interest, stating no ties to his family's ventures. ◼