The Jamal Khashoggi killing didn’t just expose a crime — it exposed the moral bankruptcy of global politics.
On November 18, 2025, the political earthquake returned as former U.S. President Donald Trump made a fresh and startling revelation regarding the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. While global intelligence agencies, human rights groups, and many world leaders maintain that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) likely approved or was aware of the assassination, Trump has now doubled down on his long-standing defense of the Saudi leader.
In a statement that has triggered global debate, Trump asserted that MBS “knew nothing” about the killing — a direct contradiction to U.S. intelligence findings.
A Brief Recap: The Crime That Shocked the World
On October 2, 2018, journalist Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for routine paperwork. He never walked out. Turkish investigators soon revealed that he was murdered and dismembered inside the consulate by a Saudi hit squad. The chilling details gripped the world and sparked unprecedented international outrage.
The CIA and U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had likely approved the operation. The conclusion was based on intercepted communications, control structures within the Saudi government, and the nature of the hit.
Saudi Arabia, however, maintained that the killing was a “rogue operation” gone wrong.
Trump’s New Stand: “He Knew Nothing”
During his recent interaction with the Saudi Crown Prince, Trump made a remark that again changed the global conversation. He said:
“Things happen … but (Prince Mohammed) knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that.”
This statement came despite years of intelligence reports from the U.S. itself that suggested otherwise. Trump had previously said he wasn’t presented with definitive proof that MBS ordered the killing. Now, he has reasserted MBS’s innocence more forcefully than ever.
Why Trump’s Statement Matters
Trump’s remark is not just a political comment — it carries geopolitical weight.
Contradicting U.S. Intelligence
This is not the first time Trump has dismissed American intelligence findings. His latest statement reopens old wounds within the U.S. security establishment.
Saudi-U.S. Relations
Saudi Arabia is a crucial U.S. ally, especially in oil markets, arms deals, and Middle Eastern strategy. Trump has historically defended MBS, often citing economic partnerships.
Global Human Rights Debate
Trump downplaying the assassination sends ripple effects through global human rights advocacy, which has consistently pushed for accountability.
What Did the Intelligence Actually Say?
A 2021 declassified U.S. intelligence report stated that MBS “approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.” The report highlighted MBS’s tight control over the Saudi security apparatus, arguing that such an operation couldn’t happen without his knowledge.
The CIA had shared similar conclusions earlier.
MBS’s Repeated Denial
Throughout the years, MBS has denied ordering the killing. He described it as a “huge mistake” carried out by rogue operatives. However, the lack of transparent trials and the shielding of key suspects have kept global skepticism alive.
Trump’s “Narrative Shift”: Why Now?
Trump’s renewed defense comes at a strategic time.
- U.S.-Saudi relations are again in focus with shifting global alliances.
- Trump’s own political ambitions may hinge on strengthening ties with key global players.
- Saudi investments in the U.S. economy, especially under Trump’s previous term, are well documented.
His statement might be an attempt to reinforce his long-standing pro-Saudi foreign policy.
The World Reacts
Human rights groups have criticized Trump’s remarks, calling them an attempt to “rewrite history.” Journalists and political analysts have expressed concern that such comments normalize targeted killings of dissidents.
Meanwhile, Saudi officials have welcomed Trump’s comments, seeing them as validation of their long-held stance.
The Unanswered Question: Who Really Ordered the Jamal Khashoggi killing?
The world may never get a definitive answer. Intelligence assessments point one way, political alliances point another, and Saudi denials remain firm.
But one fact is undeniable: Jamal Khashoggi’s killing remains one of the most chilling attacks on journalism in modern history.
A Deeper Look: Why the Khashoggi Case Still Haunts Global Politics
The Jamal Khashoggi murder has never been just another diplomatic dispute — it has become a defining test of how far nations are willing to go to protect their interests over human rights. The case represents a collision between authoritarian power, global journalism, and international diplomacy.
A Test of Global Press Freedom
Khashoggi was not merely a Saudi dissident; he was a Washington Post columnist whose writings criticized the Saudi establishment. His killing inside a diplomatic building sent a chilling message across the world: even journalists abroad are not fully safe. Major press organizations have repeatedly warned that letting this crime pass without accountability sets a dangerous precedent.
Cold Realpolitik Over Moral Responsibility
The reactions of global powers, including the U.S., highlighted the cold reality of international politics. Nations with strategic or economic ties to Saudi Arabia were hesitant to take strong action. Arms deals, oil ties, investment flows, and counter-terror partnerships overshadowed calls for justice.
Trump’s renewed defence of MBS simply reinforces this global pattern: morality often comes second when geopolitical interests are at stake.
A Case With Layers of Mystery
Despite multiple investigations, several questions remain unanswered:
- Who exactly issued the final order?
- Why were certain suspects shielded while others were prosecuted?
- What happened to Khashoggi’s remains?
- Why was there no transparent trial accessible to global observers?
These unanswered questions fuel continued suspicion about the highest levels of Saudi leadership.
Why Trump’s Voice Still Shapes the Narrative
Even outside office, Trump remains one of the most influential voices in global politics. His statements carry political, diplomatic, and public influence. When he claims MBS “knew nothing,” global perceptions shift — especially in regions that rely heavily on U.S. political cues.
Moreover, Trump’s business-friendly approach to diplomacy often prioritizes deals over human rights, making his defence of MBS predictable yet impactful.
The Emotional Weight of Khashoggi’s Legacy
For Khashoggi’s family, friends, and the global journalism community, this case is personal. It represents the silencing of a critical voice — a man who believed in reform, accountability, and openness within Saudi Arabia.
His final moments, reconstructed from intelligence reports, paint a haunting picture of betrayal inside a building meant to offer safety to citizens abroad.
Conclusion: Jamal Khashoggi killing
Trump’s revelation has reignited global controversy. By openly declaring that MBS had “no knowledge” of the killing, he has not only reignited old debates but also highlighted how politics can reshape narratives.
Whether Trump’s claim is a diplomatic strategy, political calculation, or genuine belief — it once again puts the Khashoggi case at the center of global discourse.
The truth behind Jamal Khashoggi’s killing still lies in a shadowed corner of international politics, but one thing is certain: the world is watching how leaders rewrite — or ignore — the facts.
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Author: Nitin mittal
CA by qualification
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