Washington D.C. – Donald Trump‘s recent reception of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and subsequent dismissal of Jamal Khashoggi‘s murder as “things happen” has ignited widespread condemnation, revealing what critics describe as a cynical philosophy of power prioritizing geopolitical interests over human rights and accountability. The encounter,marked by full honors including a military band and fighter plane escort,occurred during MBS’s first Washington visit as the 2018 assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Seven years after Khashoggi was murdered and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the CIA concluded MBS was the orchestrator. while the event initially sparked global outrage and briefly threatened too upend longstanding alliances, Trump’s remarks effectively minimized the gravity of the crime, reducing a targeted killing to an unfortunate incident. “A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman… Things happen,” Trump stated, prompting sharp rebuke from rights groups and Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr, who posted on X: “Even the culprit showed more shame than the leader of the country who claims to defend press freedom.”
The comments signal a broader acceptance of impunity for authoritarian leaders, analysts say, and underscore a willingness to overlook egregious human rights abuses in pursuit of strategic partnerships – particularly concerning oil. This normalization of disregard for accountability, critics argue, establishes a dangerous precedent, emboldening despots and eroding international norms.
The incident has renewed focus on the vital role of journalism in challenging power and preserving truth. Khashoggi, a vocal advocate for transparency and freedom of expression, was targeted, in part, for his critical reporting.As one observer noted, the act of reporting itself serves as a counterweight to the “comfort of lies” and a safeguard against ancient revisionism.
