In a surprising appearance from the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump offered glowing praise to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, despite U.S. intelligence agencies identifying him as the alleged mastermind behind the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump described the prince as an “incredible” leader and said he was “very proud” of his accomplishments, particularly in the field of human rights — remarks that sharply contradicted international reports and the prince’s own documented record. Mohammed bin Salman, visibly pleased, accepted the praise with a broad smile during his visit to Washington.

Trump’s comments stood in stark contrast to the widely reported events surrounding Khashoggi’s death. In 2018, the Washington Post columnist was brutally killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, his body dismembered and never recovered. U.S. intelligence officials concluded that Mohammed bin Salman directly ordered the operation, a finding that strained relations between Washington and Riyadh for years. When asked about the case, Trump dismissed the matter, saying,

“Things happen,” and insisted that the crown prince “knew nothing” about the assassination, adding: “It is an honor to be your friend.” The visit triggered swift criticism from journalists and human rights organizations. Several groups, including Human Rights Watch, had urged the White House to take a firm stance on Saudi Arabia’s record, noting that the country is on track to reach a record number of executions — nearly 300 this year — often in trials activists describe as deeply unfair.

International organizations argue that Saudi Arabia has seen the worst crackdown on free expression and human rights in its modern history in recent years. Despite these concerns, Trump deliberately avoided addressing the issue during the official reception, signaling a clear show of support for the crown prince despite mounting global alarm.