US President Donald Trump on Tuesday forcefully intervened when a reporter questioned Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) about the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, telling the press not to “embarrass our guest” during the prince’s ceremonial welcome at the White House.
When the reporter identified himself as representing ABC, Trump immediately snapped, “You are fake news,” before asserting that the crown prince “knew nothing about that,” referring to Khashoggi’s assassination inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Trump insisted the matter should not be raised during the official welcome, which featured cannon salutes, an F-35 jet flyover and a full South Lawn ceremony.
Making his first appearance in Washington since the killing, MBS called Khashoggi’s death a “mistake,” saying the journalist “lost his life for no real reason” and describing the episode as “painful.” He said Saudi Arabia has taken steps to ensure such an incident “never happens again.”
Trump praised the crown prince and lauded Saudi Arabia as a “great ally,” highlighting Riyadh’s commitment to invest $600 billion in the United States — a number he suggested “could go up a little higher.” He confirmed that the US will move ahead with the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, despite concerns raised by US lawmakers and Israel over technology security and regional dynamics.
The visit is expected to see both sides sign a civilian nuclear cooperation framework, discuss expanding Saudi investment in American artificial intelligence infrastructure, and engage on regional tensions. Behind the ceremonial pageantry, the leaders are also likely to address the Gaza aftermath and prospects for Saudi-Israeli normalisation — a longstanding diplomatic goal for Trump. However, Riyadh maintains that meaningful progress on Palestinian statehood remains essential.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays in the Saudi Pro League, was also expected to take part in the day’s proceedings.
