Journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s widow criticized President Donald Trump over his comments surrounding her husband’s death.
During a meeting at the White House with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump reacted angrily to a question about the assassination of Khashoggi, accusing the reporter of “embarrassing” his guest. He then denied Salman had any involvement in the killing and said Khashoggi was “extremely controversial,” adding that “things happen.” The journalist’s widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, expressed her displeasure with Trump’s response in an interview with CNN.
“I was disappointed,” she said when asked about her response.
“To describe Jamal in such a way is not true. It is not related to Jamal, and … kind of justifying the crime by presenting Jamal this way, and saying he’s controversial and some people do not like him, which has happened with every human being, does not mean to kidnap him, torture him, and to take his life away. And Jamal was not this person has been described today. It was upsetting for me,” the widow added.
Hanan Elatr Khashoggi elaborated on her criticism in a post on X.
“There is no justification to murder my husband. While Jamal was a good transparent and brave man many people may not have agreed with his opinions and desire for freedom of the press. The Crown Prince said he was sorry so he should meet me, apologize and compensate me for the murder of my husband,” she wrote, tagging Trump.
Trump has sought to further cultivate a positive relationship with Saudi Arabia and other Arab states during his second term. He’s hosted or met with several Arab leaders since concluding his Gaza peace deal last month, viewing wider Arab support as essential.
He has also sought closer ties with the Arab states to further U.S. economic interests. Salman pledged $1 trillion in investments in the U.S. during his visit.
While the meeting was largely focused on economic investments and the U.S.-Saudi relationship, questions about Khashoggi and alleged Saudi involvement in 9/11 changed the mood in the room.
TRUMP DEFENDS SAUDI CROWN PRINCE WHILE DOWNPLAYING KHASHOGGI MURDER: ‘THINGS HAPPEN’
“You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial,” Trump said after the question about Khashoggi and alleged Saudi involvement in 9/11. “A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that.”
Khashoggi’s killing occurred during Trump’s first term, triggering widespread backlash across the world and within the United States. Trump pushed back against the calls for repercussions against Saudi Arabia, denying that Salman had a role in the killing.