President Donald Trump insisted that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman “knew nothing” about the killing of Washington Post opinion writer Jamal Khashoggi, despite U.S. intelligence agencies concluding otherwise.
The CIA assessment released in 2021 found that Saudi agents in Istanbul acted on bin Salman’s order when they killed and dismembered Khashoggi in 2018, who had written critically of the Saudi royal family.
Asked about those findings in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump downplayed the journalist’s killing, saying “things happen” and claiming bin Salman “knew nothing about it.”
His comments came as the Crown Prince began an elaborate two-day visit organized by Trump to showcase Saudi Arabia’s importance to the U.S., during which the President hopes to announce hundreds of billions of dollars in Saudi investments. It is bin Salman’s first visit to the U.S. capital since Khashoggi’s killing seven years ago.
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Trump berated the ABC News reporter who raised the question, calling it an embarrassment for his guest. “A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or don’t like him, things happen, but he knew nothing about it,” Trump said while sitting next to Saudi Arabia’s de-facto leader. “We can leave it at that. You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that.”
Donald Trump speaks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia during an arrival ceremony at the White House on November 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. Andrew Harniks—2025 Getty Images
The Crown Prince, however, chose to respond. Without mentioning Khashoggi by name, bin Salman said, “it’s painful and it’s a huge mistake—and we are doing our best that this doesn’t happen again.”
Bin Salman was also asked about anger from families of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks who objected to his visit. Many of those families have long accused the Saudi government of supporting extremists linked to the hijackers, most of whom were Saudi nationals. The Crown Prince said he understood the pain felt by the families, but that “we have to focus on reality.” He said Osama bin Laden launched the attacks to destroy the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the U.S., and that “strong relations” between the two countries were vital to countering extremism and terrorism.
Trump lavished praise on the Saudi Crown Prince, calling him an “extremely respected man” and a “very good friend.”
“What he’s done is incredible—in terms of human rights and everything else,” Trump said.
The President underscored that admiration with an opulent display of hospitality. When bin Salman arrived at the South Portico of the White House—a far grander entrance than the West Wing driveway typically used by visiting heads of state—Trump arranged for six F-15 fighter jets to roar overhead as a Marine brass band played from the balcony. The spectacle reflected both Trump’s flair for ceremony and his desire to spotlight what he views as one of his most important international relationships.
Donald Trump and Crown Prince and Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman watch a flyover of military aircraft on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, DC on November 18, 2025. Saul Loeb—AFP or licensors
Trump considers Saudi Arabia central to his renewed push for international recognition, including his long-running bid for a Nobel Peace Prize. During his first term, Trump worked to bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations. Riyadh, however, stopped short of signing on, even as it moved toward quieter cooperation with Israel. That progress has since been strained by the war in Gaza.
Since returning to office, Trump has sought to thaw relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia and persuaded Saudi leaders to endorse his 20-point plan for stabilizing Gaza—a proposal adopted Monday in a United Nations Security Council resolution.
When Trump visited Riyadh in May, Saudi businesses pledged to invest $600 billion in the U.S. economy. In Tuesday’s meeting, bin Salman announced that figure would increase to $1 trillion. The Saudi government is seeking to diversify its economy away from oil and expand partnerships with U.S. industries in artificial intelligence and advanced technology. It is also pushing for Washington’s approval to develop a domestic nuclear energy program.
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After meeting with Trump, bin Salman was scheduled to meet with House and Senate lawmakers before returning to the White House for a black-tie dinner with Saudi and American business leaders hosted by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. The event, held in the East Room, will seat about 200 guests. Trump noted that many more had to be turned away, adding that his new $250 million ballroom—being built atop the demolished remains of the East Wing—will hold far more.
“This would be a perfect night to have that ballroom open,” Trump said. Before ending their meeting, he invited the Crown Prince to return to Washington before the end of his term, promising, “We’ll have another dinner.”
