Back in 2018, during Donald Trump’s first administration, the CIA concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) personally ordered the brutal killing of American writer and US resident Jamal Khashoggi. Seven years later, sitting directly beside MBS in the White House, Trump appeared indifferent to the intelligence findings, casually remarking that “things happen” in reference to the murder.
This meeting marked MBS’s first trip to the United States since Khashoggi’s death-a killing that severely strained washington–Riyadh relations. Yet Trump not only downplayed the murder but also offered a direct defense of the Crown Prince during what felt like a state-visit-style occasion, despite lacking the official designation.
TRUMP ON THE MURDER OF KHASHOGGI
The Donald Trump of 2025 is notably different from the Trump of 2017. His stance now openly contradicts the assessments made by US intelligence agencies during his own presidency. Dismissing Khashoggi’s death, Trump described the Washington Post journalist as “extremely controversial,” attempting to shift attention away from MBS.
“You are mentioning someone who was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you are talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen. But he (the Crown Prince) knew nothing about it,” Trump stated.
Trump’s casual phrasing-“things happen”-made it seem as though Khashoggi’s murder, in which the journalist was allegedly dismembered with a bone saw inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, was merely an unfortunate accident.
The tone of his comment immediately drew comparisons to Congress leader Sam Pitroda’s infamous “hua toh hua” line about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that killed around 500 people.
Trump also shocked journalists at the White House by reprimanding a reporter for raising the question in front of MBS. “You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that,” he snapped.
Khashoggi, a former Saudi insider who became one of the kingdom’s harshest critics, disappeared after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 to obtain documents for his marriage. His body has never been recovered.
A 2021 US Investigation concluded that MBS approved the killing. Although Washington did not sanction the Crown Prince himself, several senior Saudi officials were penalized.
Meanwhile, MBS maintained on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia “did all the right steps” to investigate the “painful” incident.
Social Media Reacts to Trump’s Remarks
Trump’s comments ignited a wave of criticism online. Many analysts accused the former president of excusing Khashoggi’s murder by attacking the victim’s reputation.
Political analyst Richard Angwin wrote, “Trump’s oval office whitewash of Khashoggi’s brutal murder proves he is not just a liar, but a gutless enabler of butchers who threaten the free press he pretends to champion.”
Geopolitical analyst Pyotr Kurzin added, “All to ensure china doesn’t get more influence,” pointing out that Saudi Arabia maintains strong ties with China-a dynamic Washington has long watched closely.
Why the Strategic Stakes Are So High
Trump’s warm approach toward the Crown Prince-and his decision to approve the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia-is widely seen as a move to keep Riyadh from drifting further into China’s strategic orbit.
| Issue | Trump’s Position | Critics’ Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Khashoggi Murder | Downplayed as “things happen” | Seen as excusing a brutal assassination |
| MBS’s Role | Claims MBS “knew nothing” | Contradicts CIA and US investigation findings |
| US–Saudi Relations | Strengthen ties, approve F-35 sale | A strategy to counter China’s influence |
American journalist Bob Woodward delivered one of the harshest critiques, reminding the public of Trump’s previous admission. According to Woodward, Trump once told him he had personally protected the Crown Prince: “I saved his a**.” Woodward posted the quote on social media, reigniting debate over Trump’s alignment with MBS.
Several social media users suggested that Trump’s defense of the Crown Prince may also be influenced by deep financial ties. The Saudi government has made major investments in businesses linked to Trump’s family, including a reported $2 billion investment into Jared Kushner’s private equity firm.
As critics continue to dissect his latest statements, Trump’s remarks have once again raised questions about his approach to foreign policy, press freedom, and his willingness to challenge-or ignore-intelligence assessments. With global reactions intensifying, one thing is clear: Trump’s “things happen” moment has reopened one of the most controversial chapters in US–Saudi relations.
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