By John Q. Hosedrinker 
During a recent meeting in the Oval Office, former President Trump downplayed the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, calling him “extremely controversial” and suggesting that raising the issue was intended to embarrass Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump maintained that the Crown Prince was not involved in the murder despite the CIA’s assessment that he likely approved the assassination. In his own defense, the Crown Prince acknowledged the murder was a “huge mistake” and claimed Saudi Arabia conducted a proper investigation. The visit marked the Crown Prince’s first to Washington since before the murder.
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Trump’s statements regarding the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, painting him as “extremely controversial,” are deeply disturbing, to say the least. It’s a gut-wrenching moment to see someone in a position of power seemingly rationalize or excuse such a brutal act. It’s like, whoa, wait a minute, are we really going down this road? The murder itself was horrific – the dismemberment, the alleged use of a bone saw – a truly ghastly act. And to hear it downplayed like this? It’s just not right.
The contrast between this reaction and the potential reactions to other cases is jarring. If this had happened in another country, under a different government, the response would likely be vastly different, possibly even threatening military action. But with the Saudi crown prince, there seems to be a level of deference, perhaps influenced by financial considerations or political alliances. It is also important to note the double standard between his opinions on the murder of Khashoggi and Charlie Kirk.
The language used by Trump, the way he frames Khashoggi’s actions as “controversial,” feels like a way to deflect from the core issue: a journalist was murdered, and it was a barbaric crime. The implication is that somehow, Khashoggi brought this upon himself through his words or actions. It’s almost as if the victim’s worth is being weighed against some nebulous scale of “controversy,” which is beyond unsettling. This approach is reminiscent of the “blame the victim” mentality, and it’s a dangerous path to tread, especially coming from a political figure.
It’s natural to question the motivation behind these statements. Is it about money? Is it about maintaining a relationship with a powerful ally, regardless of their human rights record? Or is it a reflection of the speaker’s own values and beliefs? It leaves one wondering if the speaker would ever consider his own actions “controversial,” and if the consequences should fit the crime as he seems to believe.
The fact that Trump seemingly admires the Saudi royal family for such actions is deeply troubling. To even hint at the possibility of similar actions against journalists is a terrifying thought. It’s a reminder of how easily the lines of decency can be blurred, and how quickly the ideals of freedom of the press can be eroded. It really makes you wonder how long until a U.S. journalist is murdered because they said something “controversial” – a chilling thought indeed.
There is a sense of utter lack of empathy in these statements. To brush aside such a horrific event with a few words about “controversy” is to strip the victim of his humanity. It’s a blatant disregard for the value of a human life and a blatant message that journalists better watch out. It’s also deeply disappointing, because it normalizes such behavior, and that’s something that should send a shiver down everyone’s spine.
The entire situation underscores the perils of unchecked power and the importance of holding those in authority accountable. The comments regarding Khashoggi are yet another example of the erosion of moral standards and the potential for a dangerous precedent. The implications are far-reaching, reaching not only to the journalists but to anyone who dares to speak truth to power.