David Vance SubstackRead More
Wonder what you make of President Trump’s defence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, defending him over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.
Answering a reporter’s question directed at the crown prince, Trump said:
‘You’re mentioning someone [Khashoggi] that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen. But he [bin Salman] knew nothing about it.’
Things happen????
Let’s refresh our memories as to what the thing was that happened to Khashoggi…
Jamal Khashoggi was a Saudi dissident journalist and critic of the Saudi government. He was killed on October 2, 2018, inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. A 15-member Saudi team ambushed and strangled him, then dismembered his body with a bone saw. The killing was premeditated, and audio recordings captured his final moments, where he was heard suffocating and pleading due to claustrophobia.
How is it possible that Mohammed bin Salman knew nothing about this, carried out by Saudis in the Saudi Consulate? I don’t believe Trump on this one and this is just pandering to Saudi.
This was a savage murder and it is on the Saudi regime.
It’s a bit like Trump’s bizarre endorsement of the former Jihadi now President of Ahmed al-Sharaa.
This guy was BRANDED a terrorist by the US but now Trump lavishes praise on him. After his al-Sharaa’s historic visit to the White House,. Trump described al-Sharaa as “a very strong leader” who “comes from a very tough place” and called him a “tough guy.” Trump said he liked al-Sharaa and got along well with him, emphasising that the U.S. would “do everything we can to make Syria successful.”
I understand the need for realpolitik but that doesn’t mean I stay mute when I see it in full public glare. And yes, I am not afraid to call out Trump on occasion.
