Issues "Standing with Saudi Arabia" statement defending MBS despite Khashoggi murder

In an extraordinary statement headlined "Standing with Saudi Arabia," Trump defended Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman regarding the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Using the phrase "Maybe he did and maybe he didn't!" regarding MBS's knowledge of the killing, Trump prioritized arms sales and oil prices over human rights and intelligence assessments concluding MBS ordered the hit. The statement famously began with "The world is a very dangerous place!" and effectively exonerated the Saudi regime.

"It could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event \u2013 maybe he did and maybe he didn\u2019t!" — Official White House statement, November 20, 2018