Trump Defends Saudi Crown Prince on Khashoggi Murder and 9/11

Trump's Defense of Saudi Crown Prince

• 🗣️ President Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, deflecting questions about Riyadh's alleged role in the 9/11 attacks and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
• 📰 Trump referred to Khashoggi as an "extremely controversial" figure, stating that "things happen" and that the Crown Prince "knew nothing about it."
• 🚫 He instructed the reporter not to "embarrass our guest by asking a question like that."

Family Business and Conflicts of Interest

• 💼 When asked about his family doing business in Saudi Arabia while he is president, Trump stated he has "left" family business and devoted his energy to the presidency.
• 📈 He claimed his family's business dealings have been minimal with Saudi Arabia but could be much larger, and that he has made America more successful than ever before.

Saudi Perspective on 9/11 and Khashoggi

• 🇸🇦 The Crown Prince expressed pain regarding the 9/11 families but emphasized focusing on reality, citing documents suggesting Osama bin Laden used Saudi people to destroy the US-Saudi relationship.
• 🤝 He argued that a strong US-Saudi relationship is critical against extremism and terrorism, and that undermining it aids bin Laden's purpose.
• 🔍 Regarding Khashoggi's murder, the Crown Prince called it "painful" and a "huge mistake," stating Saudi Arabia has conducted investigations and improved its system to prevent recurrence.