US President Donald Trump sharply reprimanded a reporter inside the Oval Office after being questioned about his family’s business interests and the Saudi Crown Prince’s alleged involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The tense exchange unfolded during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) first visit to Washington since Khashoggi’s killing in 2018, a trip marked by elaborate ceremonies and a strong push to reset bilateral ties.

Reporter sparks confrontation with questions on business links and Khashoggi

The flashpoint came when a journalist asked Trump whether it was appropriate for his family to conduct business with Saudi Arabia while he was President. The reporter then turned to MBS, pointing out that US intelligence had concluded that the Crown Prince ordered Khashoggi’s assassination.

Before MBS could respond, Trump intervened abruptly. “Now, who are you with?” he asked. When the journalist replied that he represented ABC News, Trump snapped back, “One of the worst. One of the worst in the business.”

Trump insisted that he had fully detached himself from his private empire. “I have nothing to do with the family business… I’ve devoted 100% of my energy,” he said, asserting that his family had done “very little” business with Saudi Arabia and that anything pursued had been “very good.”

He then reprimanded the reporter, saying, “You don’t have to embarrass our guests by asking a question like that.”

Trump praises Crown Prince as tensions resurface

Despite longstanding global criticism of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, Trump lavished praise on the Crown Prince. “He’s done a phenomenal job,” Trump declared. “He knew nothing about the Khashoggi murder. I’m very proud of the job he’s done. What he’s accomplished is incredible — in human rights and in other areas.”

The positive comments stood in stark contrast to US intelligence findings, which concluded that MBS likely approved the operation that killed Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Crown Prince addresses Khashoggi killing, calls it a ‘painful mistake’

In a rare public response, the Crown Prince chose to answer the reporter’s question directly, calling the killing “painful” and a “huge mistake.”

“It’s really painful to hear anyone losing his life for no real purpose or not in a legal way,” he said. “It’s been painful for us in Saudi Arabia. We’ve taken all the right steps of investigation… and we’ve improved our system to be sure nothing like that happens again.”

MBS also made an unusual reference to the 9/11 families and US–Saudi relations, saying critics of the Kingdom were “helping Osama bin Laden’s purpose of destroying this relation.”

A lavish welcome signals a strategic reset

The confrontation took place against the backdrop of one of the grandest receptions of Trump’s presidency. The Crown Prince was welcomed with a military flyover, cannon salute, horse parade and celebrations on the South Lawn of the White House.

Trump emphasised the economic importance of the visit, claiming that Saudi Arabia planned to invest “$600 billion” into the US economy. “That number could go up a little bit higher,” he added. “We have a lot of jobs.”

The red-carpet welcome underscored the administration’s intention to strengthen ties with the Kingdom despite controversies surrounding human rights and the Khashoggi case.

Major defence and commercial deals on the agenda

The visit also set the stage for significant announcements. Both governments are preparing to unveil major defence agreements, including the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia — a move expected to draw scrutiny due to concerns in Israel and among US lawmakers.

Additionally, the two sides are working on a “multi-billion dollar investment” in US artificial intelligence infrastructure, alongside broader cooperation in technology, nuclear energy and defence.

The First Lady, Melania Trump, is set to host a grand gala dinner for the Crown Prince, capping what the White House sees as a turning point in US–Saudi relations.

Conclusion

The Oval Office confrontation has highlighted the deep sensitivities around US–Saudi ties, particularly regarding human rights and conflict-of-interest allegations. Yet the pomp and scale of the Crown Prince’s visit signal a renewed partnership driven by strategic, economic and defence priorities. As Washington and Riyadh pursue expansive agreements, questions surrounding the Khashoggi killing and Trump family business interests continue to hover over the diplomatic spectacle