BREAKING: Trump says he’s taking no new punitive measures against Saudi Arabia over the killing of US-based Saudi columnist.
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 20, 2018
Trump on MBS/Khashoggi: “Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!”
— Steve Holland (@steveholland1) November 20, 2018
Trump said “we may never know” the facts around the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, while emphasizing that Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman have both “vigorously” denied any knowledge about the planning for his death
The CIA pins this directly on Mohammad bin Salman. As do most other world intelligence agencies. Trump ignores his own intelligence people.
First of all, as an “official statement”, this is terrible. Exclamation points? Campaign slogans? WTF???
Trump is declaring his decision on how to (not) respond to Khashoggi killing while openly conceding he doesn’t have all the facts yet.
Trump also is repeating his false claim about a $450 B Saudi purchase order. It is not true. It is merely a letter of intent. He also throws in the slander — untrue — that Khashoggi was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
So if you are a U.S. person who is kidnapped, tortured, and killed for exercising your rights by a country in which the President happens to have a personal and financial interest, he’ll stand with that country, not with you — and he considers that putting “America first.”
— Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) November 20, 2018
Reminder: GOP Congress spent 2 years covering up Trump’s tax returns….
— Jesse Ferguson (@JesseFFerguson) November 20, 2018
….. so we don’t know how dependent on Saudi Govt $$$ he really is.
Trump on the fallout over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi: “It’s a shame, but it is what it is.” (via ABC) pic.twitter.com/4bkzq2of0Y
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 20, 2018
Trump just now: “I don’t make deals with Saudi Arabia. I don’t have money from Saudi Arabia. I have nothing to do with Saudi Arabia.”
— Rebecca Ballhaus (@rebeccaballhaus) November 20, 2018
Trump in August 2015: “Saudi Arabia, I get along with all of them. They buy apartments from me. They spend $40 million, $50 million.”
Trump: I don't make deals with Saudi Arabia. I don't have money from Saudi Arabia.
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) November 20, 2018
Also Trump: Saudi Arabia, I get along great with all of them. They buy apartments from me… I like them very much.https://t.co/mOWerSasGX pic.twitter.com/VIS2ny9v3B