Donald Trump defends Saudi Crown Prince over Khashoggi murder

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday angrily dismissed a question about the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, claiming the Saudi dissident journalist was "extremely controversial" and insisting the subject was only raised during his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to embarrass his visitor.

"You're mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you liked him or didn't like him, things happen," Trump said in the Oval Office as he presided over a pageant-filled visit for the de facto Saudi leader.

CNN has reported that Donald Trump went on to insist Prince Bin Salman - who the CIA assessed likely ordered the murder - wasn't involved.
"He knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that," Trump said, turning toward the crown prince.

The moment was the best illustration yet that the period of diplomatic isolation Prince bin Salman endured following Khashoggi's murder is over. For his first visit to the White House in more than seven years, the crown prince was welcomed with all the trappings of a state visit, the highest form of American diplomatic reception.

His black Mercedes limousine was escorted onto the South Lawn by a team of dark horses as a military band trumpeted his arrival. A flyover of fighter jets that included F-35s - the jets Trump says he's planning to sell to Riyadh - blared overhead. Later, Trump is hosting a black-tie dinner in the East Room.

Sitting in the Oval Office, Trump heaped praise on the crown prince, including for what he called his "incredible" record on human rights. The president touted new deals on Saudi investments in the United States, and affirmed his plans to sell the American-made jets, even as the crown prince stopped short of committing to some of Trump's priorities.