Trump defends Saudi crown prince, attacks Jamal Khashoggi when asked about 2018 murder: ‘Things happen’ | Video
President Donald Trump criticized slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi and defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday after an ABC News reporter pressed the foreign leader about the 2018 killing, saying “stuff happens.”
A US intelligence report released in 2021 confirmed that bin Salman approved a plot to assassinate Khashoggi in 2018. The Saudi leader has denied any connection to the death.
Mary Bruce, ABC News’ chief White House correspondent, pressed the killing of Bin Salman during a press briefing in the Oval Office on Tuesday, prompting Trump to intervene before she could finish her question. “Fake news ABC,” he said. “One of the worst in the business.”
“A lot of people didn’t like this gentleman that you’re talking about,” Trump added, calling Khashoggi “extremely controversial.” “Whether you like him or not, things happen, but he didn’t know anything about it.”
Bin Salman said Khashoggi’s death was “painful” for Saudi Arabia, saying he lost his life “for no real purpose.” “We have improved our system to make sure nothing like this happens,” he said. “We are doing our best to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Trump criticized Bruce for trying to “embarrass” the Saudi leader. He then suggested that the Federal Communications Commission investigate whether ABC should lose its broadcast licenses after Bruce questioned why Trump wasn’t unilaterally releasing government records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“You are a terrible person and a terrible journalist,” he said.
More to come…
