Trump dismisses US intelligence that Saudi prince was likely aware of 2018 killing of journalist

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed U.S. intelligence findings that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman likely had some culpability in the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi as Trump warmly welcomed the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia on his first White House visit in seven years.

The U.S.-Saudi relationship had, for a time, been sent into a tailspin by the operation targeting Khashoggi, a fierce critic of the kingdom.

But seven years later, the dark clouds over the relationship have been cleared away. And Trump is tightening his embrace of the 40-year-old crown prince, who he said is an indispensable player in shaping the Middle East in the decades to come.

Trump in his defense of the crown prince derided Khashoggi as “extremely controversial” and said “a lot of people didn’t like that gentleman.” Prince Mohammed denies involvement in the killing of Khashoggi, who was a Saudi citizen and Virginia resident.

“Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen,” Trump said when asked about the killing by a reporter during an Oval Office appearance with Prince Mohammed. “But (Prince Mohammed) knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that. You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that.”

But U.S. intelligence officials determined that the Saudi crown prince likely approved the killing by Saudi agents of U.S.-based journalist inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul , according to U.S. findings declassified in 2021 at the start of the Biden administration. Trump officials, during his first administration, refused to release the report.

Prince Mohammed said Saudi Arabia “did all the right steps” to investigate Khashoggi’s death.

“It’s painful and it’s a huge mistake,” he said.

Trump, who said the two leaders have become “good friends," even commended the Saudi leader for strides made by the kingdom on human rights without providing any specific detail.

The crown prince for his part announced Saudi Arabia was increasing its planned investments in the U.S. to $1 trillion, up from $600 billion that the Saudis announced they would pour into the United States when Trump visited the kingdom in May.

Echoing rhetoric that Trump likes to use, the crown prince called the U.S. the “hottest country on the planet" for foreign investment.

“What you’re creating is not about an opportunity today. It’s also about long-term opportunity,” Prince Mohammed said.

Trump's family has a strong personal interest in the kingdom. In September, London real estate developer Dar Global announced that it plans to launch Trump Plaza in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.

It's Dar Global's second collaboration with the Trump Organization, the collection of companies controlled by the U.S. president's children, in Saudi Arabia.

Trump pushed back on suggestions that there could be a conflict of interest in his family's dealings with the Saudis.

“I have nothing to do with the family business,” Trump said.

Trump's comments about Khashoggi's killing and defense of his family's business in Saudi Arabia were blasted by human rights and government oversight activists.

Human rights groups say Saudi authorities continue to harshly repress dissent, including by arresting human rights defenders, journalists and political dissidents for criticism against the kingdom. They also note a surge in executions in Saudi Arabia that they connect to an effort to suppress internal dissent.

“President Trump has Jamal Khashoggi’s blood on his hands,” said Raed Jarrar, advocacy director for DAWN, a U.S.-based group advocating for democracy and human rights in the Arab world that was founded by Khashoggi.

Trump warmly received Prince Mohammed when he arrived at the White House Tuesday morning for a pomp-filled arrival ceremony that included a military flyover and a thundering greeting from the U.S. Marine band.

Technically, it wasn't a state visit, because the crown prince is not the head of state. But Prince Mohammed has taken charge of the day-to-day governing for his father, King Salman, 89, who has endured health problems in recent years.

Later, Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed the crown prince for a black-tie dinner in the White House East Room. The boldface names who attended included Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Trump at the dinner announced he was designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally. The designation, while largely symbolic, provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense, trade and security cooperation.

The president also announced that the two leaders had signed a new defense agreement, but the White House did not immediately release details of the pact. Ahead of the visit, the Saudis had signaled they were looking for formal assurances from Trump defining the scope of the U.S. military protection for the kingdom.

“A stronger and more capable alliance will advance the interests of both countries,” Trump said. “And it will serve the highest interest of peace.”

On the eve of Prince Mohammed's arrival, Trump announced he had agreed to sell the Saudis F-35 fighter jets despite some concerns within the administration that the sale could lead to China gaining access to the U.S. technology behind the advanced weapon system. The White House announced the two leaders formalized the F-35 agreement Tuesday as well as a deal for the Saudis to purchase nearly 300 tanks from the U.S.

They also signed agreements signifying closer cooperation on capital markets and critical minerals markets, as well as efforts against money laundering and terrorist financing.

Trump's announcement on the fighter jets was surprising because some in the Republican administration have been wary about upsetting Israel’s qualitative military edge over its neighbors, especially at a time when Trump is depending on Israeli support for the success of his Gaza peace plan.

The visit comes at a moment when Trump is trying to nudge the Saudis toward normalizing relations with Israel.

The president in his first term had helped forge commercial and diplomatic ties between Israel and Bahrain, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates through an effort dubbed the Abraham Accords.

Trump sees expansion of the accords as essential to his broader efforts to build stability in the Middle East after the two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Getting Saudi Arabia — the largest Arab economy and the birthplace of Islam — to sign on would spur a domino effect, he argues.

But the Saudis have maintained that a path toward Palestinian statehood must first be established before normalizing relations with Israel can be considered. The Israelis remain steadfastly opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state.

“We want to be part of the Abraham Accords, but we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path of a two-state solution,” Prince Mohammed said.

AP writers Josh Boak, Fatima Hussein, Seung Min Kim, Michelle L. Price and Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a dinner at the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a dinner in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a dinner at the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump walks with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman along the colonnade, at the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman walk along the Colonnade at the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump meets Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump walks with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman along the colonnade, at the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman walk along the Colonnade at the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Military jets fly over the White House as President Donald Trump welcomes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump welcomes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump welcomes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump meets Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump stands with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on his visit to the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump welcomes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

U.S. Air Force jets flyover as President Donald Trump welcomes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Members of the United States Army Band Herald Trumpets stand ready for President Donald Trump to welcome Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump stands with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on his visit to the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

FILE - President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman gesture as they meet delegations at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

PARIS (AP) — Lens remained atop Ligue 1 after Florian Thauvin proved decisive once again, scoring the opening goal in a 2-1 win at Nantes on Saturday.

Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain stayed one point behind after thrashing Rennes 5-0 at Parc des Princes.

Wesley Saïd scored the winner in the 81st minute as Lens extended its winning streak to five matches. Youssef El-Arabi leveled the scoring for the host.

Lens moved to the top of the standings for the first time in 21 years last weekend after Thauvin's brace in a 2-1 win at Angers. The 2018 World Cup winner is enjoying a revival since his return to the league from Italian side Udinese this summer.

The 32-year-old winger has five goals and two assists in 15 league matches. His performances have earned him a recall from France following a six-year absence.

After suffering its second Ligue 1 loss of the season at Monaco, PSG rebounded in style at Rennes' expense ahead of next week's Champions League trip to Athletic Bilbao.

PSG initially struggled to find space in the five-man Rennes defense and the visitor had the first big chance. Goalkeeper Matveï Safonov kept PSG afloat, stretching to tip Esteban Lepaul’s shot onto the post.

PSG broke the deadlock seconds later on the break with a slick move concluded by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgia winger scored twice, adding another in the second half after Senny Mayulu doubled PSG's lead.

Ibrahim Mbaye, who is just 17, made it 4-0 in the 88th minute with the goal of the night — a superb strike from outside the box into the top corner. Gonçalo Ramos capped the win in added time.

In Nantes, Lens dominated early and Thauvin put the visitors ahead in the 34th minute with a header from Ruben Aguilar's excellent cross.

Lens could not hold onto its lead for long, though, as Matthis Abline was fouled in the box, giving El-Arabi the chance to level from the spot. Goalkeeper Robin Risser parried away his effort but the 38-year-old forward scored from the rebound.

Lens pushed hard toward the end and finally broke the stalemate when Saïd cut a cross from Matthieu Udol to bag his sixth league goal.

Marseille lags five points behind Lens in third place after losing to Lille 1-0 on Friday. Fourth-placed Lille tied third-placed Marseille on points in the table.

Brazilian striker Emersonn scored the only goal as Toulouse ended a six-match winless run and prevailed against Strasbourg in their mid-table clash. The win lifted Toulouse to ninth place, two points behind Strasbourg.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris and Rennes in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, center, challenges for the ball with Rennes' Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, left, and Rennes' Przemyslaw Frankowski, right, during the French League One soccer match between Paris and Rennes in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Senny Mayulu, center, celebrates after scoring his side' second goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris and Rennes in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris and Rennes in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)