Trump protected the Saudi partnership after acknowledging the crown prince might have known of Khashoggi's murder

Date: 2018-11-20
Entry type: authoritarian-alignment
Current status: Trump's position is documented; the statement did not adjudicate the crown prince's responsibility.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-03

Entities and roles

Trump statement on Jamal Khashoggi and Saudi Arabiaofficial statement maintaining the Saudi partnership
Donald J. Trumppresident issuing the statement

Claims and evidence

factdocumented
Trump's statement said the Saudi crown prince may or may not have known about Jamal Khashoggi's murder and nevertheless declared that the United States intended to remain Saudi Arabia's partner.
- The White House: Statement from President Donald J. Trump on Standing with Saudi ArabiaParagraphs addressing the crown prince and partnership