A Defiant Defense: Trump Scolds Reporter, Embraces Saudi Crown Prince in Oval Office Clash
In a tense Oval Office exchange that laid bare the complexities of U.S.-Saudi relations, President Donald Trump launched a vehement defense of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, sharply criticizing an ABC News reporter for questioning the royal over the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The confrontation erupted when correspondent Mary Bruce pointedly asked the Crown Prince why Americans should trust him given the U.S. intelligence conclusion that he “orchestrated the brutal murder of a journalist.” Bruce also questioned President Trump about potential conflicts of interest regarding his family’s business dealings with Saudi Arabia, prompting an immediate and angry reaction from the president.
Trump swiftly dismissed the line of questioning as “fake news” and launched into a full-throated endorsement of MBS, directly contradicting the CIA assessment from his own first term. “As far as this gentleman is concerned, he’s done a phenomenal job,” Trump stated, referring to the Khashoggi killing by saying, “things happen, but he knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that.” He scolded Bruce, telling her, “You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that.” For his part, MBS called the killing a “huge mistake” but defended his regime’s investigation, while also addressing 9/11 families by urging them to “focus on the reality” that Osama bin Laden sought to destroy U.S.-Saudi ties.
The president’s ire only grew as the exchange continued, culminating in a stunning suggestion that ABC News’ broadcast license should be revoked. After Bruce pressed Trump on a separate issue involving the Jeffrey Epstein files, the president accused her of a “terrible, insubordinate” attitude. “I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake. And it’s so wrong,” Trump declared, directing his comments toward the FCC chairman. The remarkable scene underscored the president’s unwavering alliance with the Saudi leader and his continued, confrontational stance toward media outlets he deems adversarial.
