WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump dismissed the brutal murder of American journalist Jamal Khashoggi and claimed Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "knew nothing about" the killing, contradicting a U.S. intelligence assessment that the leader ordered the operation.

A declassified intelligence report released by the Biden administration said bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the kingdom, approved the capture or killing of Khashoggi in 2018 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Trump during an Oval Office meeting erupted at an ABC News reporter who asked bin Salman about Khashoggi's murder and criticism from 9/11 families ahead of his visit to the White House, which included business deals and a black-tie dinner.

“You’re mentioning somebody who was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him, or didn’t like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. And you can leave it at that. You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that,” Trump said.

The Saudi government initially denied knowing anything about Khashoggi's disappearance. It eventually charged agents linked to bin Salman with the journalist's death in the face of international condemnation while rejecting the crown prince's involvement.

At the White House, bin Salman said it was a “painful” episode for Saudi Arabia, and his country had taken “all the right steps” to investigate the grisly murder, which involved the Washington Post columnist's dismemberment with a bone saw.

“It’s painful and it’s a huge mistake and we are doing our best that this does not happen again," the leader, who goes by his initials, MBS, told journalists.

Earlier in the meeting, Trump called bin Salman a "very good friend" and said he’d done an incredible job, “in terms of human rights and everything else.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Things happen.' Trump denies Saudi crown prince was involved in Jamal Khashoggi murder

Reporting by Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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