President Donald Trump criticized the slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi and defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday after an ABC Information reporter pressed the overseas chief on the 2018 homicide, saying “issues occur.”
A U.S. intelligence report launched in 2021 confirmed that bin Salman permitted a plot to homicide Khashoggi in 2018. The Saudi chief has denied any connection to the dying.
ABC Information chief White Home correspondent Mary Bruce pressed bin Salman on the homicide throughout an Oval Workplace press availability on Tuesday, prompting Trump to interject earlier than she might end her query. “ABC pretend information,” he stated. “One of many worst within the enterprise.”
“Lots of people didn’t like that gentleman that you just’re speaking about,” Trump added, calling Khashoggi “extraordinarily controversial.” “Whether or not you want him or didn’t like him, issues occur, however he knew nothing about it.”
Bin Salman stated Khashoggi’s dying was “painful” for Saudi Arabia, claiming he misplaced his life “for no actual goal.” “We‘ve improved our system to ensure that nothing like that occur,” he stated. “We’re doing our greatest that this doesn’t occur once more.”
Trump chided Bruce for attempting to “embarrass” the Saudi chief. He later recommended that the Federal Communications Fee examine whether or not ABC ought to lose its broadcast licenses after Bruce requested why Trump doesn’t unilaterally launch authorities recordsdata associated to late intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“You’re a horrible individual and a horrible reporter,” he stated.
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