Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, the widow of Jamal Khashoggi, and Democratic members of Congress have called upon President Trump to release the transcript of his phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following Khashoggi’s murder in 2018. Rep. Vindman, who served on Trump’s National Security Council, has described the 2019 call as “highly disturbing” and urged for its declassification. Khashoggi’s widow and other critics have condemned Trump’s cordial reception of MBS and defense of Saudi Arabia, especially given US intelligence agencies’ findings that MBS ordered the murder. This call for transparency and justice comes amid continued arms sales to the kingdom, ongoing investigations, and potential business ventures that may present conflicts of interest.
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Trump, MBS had “shocking” phone call after Khashoggi murder, Vindman warns, and this statement immediately begs the question: What could possibly be shocking at this point? Considering the well-documented history of both Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the potential for a truly surprising revelation feels limited. After witnessing years of behavior that prioritized personal gain and disregard for human rights, it’s hard to imagine anything said during a private phone call that would surpass the shock value of their public actions.
The very idea of a “shocking” call implies something significantly worse than we already know. It suggests a level of depravity that exceeds even the widely condemned murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist critical of both Trump and MBS.… Continue reading
As AP News reports, Jamal Khashoggi’s widow is demanding the release of the transcript of a 2019 phone call between former President Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman, raising questions about Trump’s potential personal benefits from his relationship with the Saudi crown prince. Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Eugene Vindman, are also seeking the transcript, with Vindman describing the call as “shocking.” These concerns are fueled by Trump’s dismissal of U.S. intelligence findings regarding Prince Mohammed’s involvement in Khashoggi’s 2018 murder, along with the former president’s family’s business dealings in Saudi Arabia. The situation mirrors Trump’s first impeachment, and while release is unlikely, the lawmakers emphasize that Trump’s actions reflect a concerning trend.
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Vindman demands release of Trump-MBS call after Khashoggi murder: ‘You will be shocked’ – this is what we’re talking about, and it’s a topic that’s clearly stirring up a lot of feelings. The basic premise is that Alexander Vindman, a key figure in the Trump-Ukraine scandal, is calling for the release of the transcript and potentially the audio recording of the phone call between former President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) following the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He believes that the contents will be shocking, which is a pretty bold statement, considering the political climate and the things we’ve already witnessed.… Continue reading
Representative Ilhan Omar condemned President Trump’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, calling it a “disgusting display” and criticizing the administration’s potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Omar believes that Trump is prioritizing weapons-contractor profits and his own family’s business interests, especially given the Saudis’ human rights record and use of US arms. She urged fellow lawmakers to block the deal, emphasizing the need for congressional authorization before sending US soldiers to defend Saudi Arabia. Additionally, groups like DAWN have voiced concerns, suggesting Trump is prioritizing personal and corporate gains over human rights.
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In a significant development, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, finalized a Joint Declaration on Civil Nuclear Cooperation. The agreement signifies a commitment to expand the partnership, bringing American nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia while upholding nonproliferation safeguards. Secretary Wright emphasized the historic nature of the deal and credited it to a vision of fostering prosperity and peace in the Middle East. The collaboration aims to shift the region’s focus towards commerce rather than conflict.
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Trump designates Saudi Arabia as major non-NATO ally in defense agreement, and it certainly feels like a lot to take in, doesn’t it? It seems almost surreal, given everything. The implications, the history, the business ties – it all swirls together into a complex and controversial situation. It makes you wonder how we got here and where we’re headed.
Trump’s decision to elevate Saudi Arabia’s status to a major non-NATO ally has, unsurprisingly, ignited a firestorm of discussion. The core of the controversy centers on the inherent contradictions. On one hand, you have a nation with deep-seated ties to the United States.… Continue reading
During his White House visit, President Donald Trump warmly embraced Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, dismissing U.S. intelligence findings that implicated the Crown Prince in the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump praised Prince Mohammed as an indispensable player in the Middle East and announced Saudi Arabia’s increased investment in the U.S. Furthermore, Trump announced agreements including the sale of F-35 fighter jets, a defense agreement, and designation of Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, despite concerns about human rights and potential conflicts of interest. The visit also aimed to advance the Abraham Accords and normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, though the Saudis insisted on a path to Palestinian statehood first.
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President Trump announced plans to approve the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a significant move preceding Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House. This potential arms deal aims to strengthen ties with Riyadh as the US seeks to encourage Saudi Arabia to establish official relations with Israel. The decision raises concerns about maintaining Israel’s military edge in the region, a long-standing US policy, with some Israeli officials opposing the sale. If the deal goes through, Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab country to receive the advanced F-35, a program the US has previously offered to the UAE.
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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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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood