US President Donald Trump stated that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was unaware of the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, contradicting US intelligence reports. Trump strongly defended the visiting crown prince during his first White House visit in over seven years, aiming to help rehabilitate his international image after the incident.

During the visit, Trump announced that Saudi Arabia would be designated a major non-NATO ally and highlighted agreements on arms sales, civil nuclear cooperation, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals. US intelligence had previously concluded that bin Salman approved Khashoggi’s capture or killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. While the crown prince denied ordering the operation, he accepted responsibility as Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler.

Trump told reporters that “things happened” but insisted bin Salman “knew nothing about it,” while bin Salman called the killing “painful” and said his government had taken proper investigative steps and improved systems to prevent such incidents. Trump praised the crown prince for human rights work without elaborating, drawing criticism from Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, who condemned the White House’s handling of the matter.

The visit emphasized the strategic US-Saudi relationship. Trump noted positive prospects for Saudi-Israel relations, though bin Salman stressed conditions regarding Palestinian statehood. During a formal dinner, Trump announced enhanced military cooperation and the non-NATO ally designation, enabling US military and economic privileges without security obligations. Agreements included the sale of F-35 fighter jets, 300 American tanks, and a strategic defense pact, along with memorandums on nuclear cooperation, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals.

Bin Salman also pledged to increase Saudi investment in the US from $600 billion to $1 trillion, though details and timelines were unclear. The crown prince has faced criticism for human rights abuses but is also driving social reforms and major projects under his Vision 2030 economic plan. Trump denied any conflict of interest regarding his family’s business ties with Saudi investments.