Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, widow of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi, voiced her profound disappointment following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks defending Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) amid a White House meeting.
President Trump described Jamal Khashoggi as “extremely controversial” and “unliked” while asserting the Saudi Crown Prince “knew nothing” about the journalist’s 2018 killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Trump praised MBS for purported progress on human rights and welcomed him warmly to the White House.
Hanan strongly rebuffed these characterizations in an interview with CNN, calling Trump’s comments “upsetting” and “a justification of the crime.” She insisted her late husband was transparent, brave, and committed to freedom of the press, and that no personal opinion should justify his kidnapping, torture, and murder.
Her response was echoed across social media, where she challenged Trump’s narrative and demanded that the Crown Prince meet with her to offer a sincere apology and take responsibility for Jamal’s death. “The Crown Prince said he was sorry, so he should meet me, apologize, and compensate me for the murder of my husband,” she said.
Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist, was a vocal critic of the Saudi regime, and U.S. intelligence reportedly implicated MBS in approving the killing. The White House meeting aimed to restore U.S.-Saudi ties, with Trump emphasizing diplomatic and economic relations while downplaying calls for accountability.
Hanan Elatr Khashoggi’s heartfelt remarks underscore ongoing demands for justice and transparency in this high-profile case, reflecting the pain and struggle endured by Jamal’s family seven years after his death.
