In a chilling display of presidential indifference, Donald Trump has absolved Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of any responsibility for the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Oval Office meeting between the two men was a stark reminder that the president values money over morality.
Trump's disdain for American values was on full display as he crowed about the $600 billion investment Saudi Arabia has promised to make in the US, and even goaded the prince to increase the amount to one trillion dollars. The president seemed more concerned with brokering a deal than condemning bin Salman's role in Khashoggi's murder.
When asked about the propriety of hosting bin Salman, Trump dismissively said "things happen" before adding that the prince knew nothing about the killing. This lack of empathy and accountability was underscored by bin Salman himself, who claimed it was "painful to hear" about anyone losing their life for no reason, but maintained that Saudi Arabia has improved its investigation methods.
The meeting marked a significant shift in Trump's stance on bin Salman, with the president rolling out the red carpet for the Saudi prince. Analysts argue that this move is driven by personal gain, rather than a genuine commitment to American interests. The president appears to view the ability to get away with murder as a measure of political power.
This is not the first time Trump has given bin Salman a pass on Khashoggi's death, with previous statements from the president expressing support for the Saudi prince. The fact that Trump granted immunity to bin Salman – and implicitly to other strongmen around the world – raises concerns about the erosion of American values and the rule of law.
The implications of this moment in American history cannot be ignored. If the fantasy or fact of getting away with murder becomes a measure of political power, it will mark the death of America's constitutional republic. The country must draw a line against impunity and ensure that those responsible for heinous crimes are held accountable.
Trump's disdain for American values was on full display as he crowed about the $600 billion investment Saudi Arabia has promised to make in the US, and even goaded the prince to increase the amount to one trillion dollars. The president seemed more concerned with brokering a deal than condemning bin Salman's role in Khashoggi's murder.
When asked about the propriety of hosting bin Salman, Trump dismissively said "things happen" before adding that the prince knew nothing about the killing. This lack of empathy and accountability was underscored by bin Salman himself, who claimed it was "painful to hear" about anyone losing their life for no reason, but maintained that Saudi Arabia has improved its investigation methods.
The meeting marked a significant shift in Trump's stance on bin Salman, with the president rolling out the red carpet for the Saudi prince. Analysts argue that this move is driven by personal gain, rather than a genuine commitment to American interests. The president appears to view the ability to get away with murder as a measure of political power.
This is not the first time Trump has given bin Salman a pass on Khashoggi's death, with previous statements from the president expressing support for the Saudi prince. The fact that Trump granted immunity to bin Salman – and implicitly to other strongmen around the world – raises concerns about the erosion of American values and the rule of law.
The implications of this moment in American history cannot be ignored. If the fantasy or fact of getting away with murder becomes a measure of political power, it will mark the death of America's constitutional republic. The country must draw a line against impunity and ensure that those responsible for heinous crimes are held accountable.