(CNN) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed a question about the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi , claiming that the Saudi dissident journalist was “extremely controversial” and that raising the subject in his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was meant to embarrass his visitor.

“You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you liked him or didn’t like him, things happen,” Trump said in the Oval Office.

Trump went on to insist Prince bin Salman — who the CIA assessed likely ordered the murder — wasn’t involved.

“He knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that. You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that,” Trump said.

When asked in th

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