Trump Defends Saudi Crown Prince Amidst Khashoggi & 9/11 Questions, Calls Reporter’s Network ‘Fake News’
WASHINGTON D.C. – November 19, 2025 – A contentious exchange unfolded at the White House today as President Donald Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his first visit to the United States since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The visit, already fraught with tension, ignited further controversy when an ABC News reporter directly questioned the Crown Prince about both the Khashoggi killing and the historical connection between Saudi nationals and the September 11th attacks.
Trump Dismisses Intelligence Findings on Khashoggi
In a stunning statement, President Trump asserted that the Crown Prince “knew nothing” about the murder of Khashoggi, directly contradicting a 2021 report released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) under the Biden administration. That report definitively concluded that Prince Mohammed had approved plans to either capture or kill the Saudi journalist at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The Trump administration had notably refused to release this report during its first term.
The death of Khashoggi sent shockwaves through the international community and severely strained relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. The incident raised serious questions about human rights and the rule of law within the Kingdom, and prompted calls for accountability.
9/11 Link and a Defensive Response
The ABC News reporter’s question, deliberately linking the Khashoggi murder to the 9/11 attacks – in which 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi citizens – clearly caught the White House off guard. Instead of allowing the Crown Prince to respond directly, President Trump immediately attacked the reporter’s network, labeling ABC News as “fake news” and admonishing him for “embarrassing” his guest.
The Crown Prince then requested the opportunity to address the question himself, framing the issue as an attempt by Osama bin Laden to sabotage the strong relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia. He also stated that Saudi Arabia had “taken all the right steps” in investigating Khashoggi’s death, characterizing it as a “painful” and “terrible mistake.”
The Historical Context: Saudi Arabia and the US
The relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia has been a complex one for decades, built on a foundation of oil, security, and strategic interests. Since the 1930s, the US has relied on Saudi Arabia as a key energy partner. In return, the US has provided military support and security guarantees to the Kingdom. However, this alliance has often been tested by differing values and geopolitical priorities.
The 9/11 attacks, and the subsequent revelations about the involvement of Saudi nationals, cast a long shadow over the relationship. While the Saudi government has consistently denied any official involvement, the families of 9/11 victims have pursued legal action seeking accountability. The Khashoggi murder further exacerbated these tensions, prompting renewed scrutiny of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and its commitment to transparency.
What’s Next? Implications for US-Saudi Relations
Today’s events signal a potential shift in the dynamics of the US-Saudi relationship. President Trump’s unwavering support for the Crown Prince, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, raises questions about the administration’s priorities and its commitment to upholding human rights on the global stage. The incident is likely to fuel further debate in Congress and among advocacy groups, potentially leading to increased pressure on the administration to take a tougher stance on Saudi Arabia.
The long-term implications of this visit remain to be seen, but one thing is clear: the shadow of Khashoggi’s murder and the lingering questions surrounding 9/11 will continue to haunt the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia for years to come. Stay tuned to Archyde.com for continuing coverage of this developing story and in-depth analysis of its impact on global politics and international security. Explore our archives for more on US foreign policy and the Middle East.
