U.S. President Donald Trump has defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, asserting that he was unaware of the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This statement contradicts findings from U.S. intelligence agencies, which concluded that the crown prince approved the operation that led to Khashoggi's death at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

The issue resurfaced during the crown prince's first visit to the White House in over seven years. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the Saudi government, was murdered, prompting international outrage. Trump spoke to reporters in the Oval Office, stating, "A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about, whether you like him or didn't like him. Things happened, but he knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that."

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed that it was "painful" to hear about Khashoggi's death. He claimed that his government took appropriate steps in the investigation and stated, "We've improved our system to be sure that nothing happened like that. And it's painful and it's a huge mistake."

Trump also praised the crown prince for his efforts on human rights, although he did not provide specifics. This praise has drawn criticism, particularly from Khashoggi's widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, who stated, "There is no justification to murder my husband. While Jamal was a good transparent and brave man, many people may not have agreed with his opinions and desire for freedom of the press."

The crown prince's visit was marked by a grand welcome at the White House, featuring a military honor guard, a cannon salute, and a flyover by U.S. warplanes. The meeting highlights the importance of U.S.-Saudi relations, especially as Trump prioritizes this partnership during his second term.

During the visit, the crown prince pledged to increase Saudi investment in the U.S. to $1 trillion, up from a previous commitment of $600 billion made during Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia in May. However, he did not provide details or a timeline for this investment.

The warm reception for the crown prince indicates a recovery in U.S.-Saudi relations, which had been strained due to Khashoggi's murder. The two leaders discussed advancing security ties, civil nuclear cooperation, and potential multi-billion-dollar business deals. Trump mentioned that the countries had reached a "defense agreement" and that Saudi Arabia would purchase advanced U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets.

As the international uproar over Khashoggi's killing has diminished, the relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia appears to be strengthening, with both leaders looking to enhance cooperation in various sectors.