Russell Dobular (46:18)
I did not believe what they said, that you can be completely mentally retarded and be president of such a rich country, but apparently believe this is true in America. Even it so much opportunity, Even person with IQ of 68 can be president. Yeah, that was. That was quite something. The moment was the best illustration yet that the period of diplomatic isolation Prince bin Salman endured following Khashoggi's murder is over. For his first visit to the White House in more than seven years, the crown prince was welcomed with all the trappings of a state visit, the highest form of American diplomatic reception. Yeah, I've never even seen that man. Like, I can't remember anybody who got greeted at the White House that way with the horses, with the bands. His black Mercedes limousine was escorted onto the South Lawn by a team of dark horses as a military band trumpeted his arrival. A a flyover of fighter jets that included F35s. The jets trump says he's planning to sell to Riyadh blared overhead. Later, Trump hosted a black tie dinner in the East Room. We're going to be taking a look at that next. Sitting in the Oval Office, Trump heaped praise on the crown prince, including for what he called his incredible record on human rights. The President touted new deals on Saudi investments in the United States and affirmed his plans to sell the American made jets. Even as the crown prince stopped short of committing to some of Trump's priorities. Hanan Alotkar, a lotter Khashoggi, Jamal Khashoggi's widow, responded to Trump's claim that her slain husband was extremely controversial, saying that was no reason for him to have been assassinated. Quote, this is not justification to murder him. Jamal was a good, transparent and brave man, she said in a statement to cnn, adding that many may not have agreed with his opinions and desire for freedom of the press. The crown prince said he was sorry so he should meet me, apologize and compensate me for the murder of my husband, unquote. In an editorial, the Post wrote that Trump's comments dishonor Khashoggi's legacy, stand at odds with the facts and are beneath the Office of the President framework. Doesn't know he worked for the Washington Post. The CIA assessment released in 2021 found the prince approved the assassination of the Washington Post columnist, though he has long denied any involvement. During his first term, Trump largely shrugged off Prince bin Salman's potential role in Khashoggi's murder, though he described himself as extremely angry and very unhappy about the killing. His successor, President Joe Biden, pledged as a candidate to make Saudi Arabia a pariah. But even Biden came to recognize the kingdom and its crown prince were too powerful and influential to ignore entirely. He flew to the country in 2022 in a mostly unsuccessful attempt to convince Saudi Arabia to increase its oil output. This from Aaron Mate at the time 2021 under Biden US accuses MbS of ordering the operation that killed Khashoggi but will not sanction him because Biden administration says that would be hostile to the Saudi dictatorship. Remember this next time Biden claims to care about human rights or sanctions another country in the name of it. Absolutely, absolutely. Trump doesn't own this. Trump's hope is that Saudi Arabia eventually joins the Abraham Accords, his signature diplomatic achievement by normalizing its relations with Israel. But Prince bin Salman made clear that wasn't happening Tuesday or any time before a clear pathway exists for an independent Palestinian state. Quote, we want to be part of the Abraham Accords, the crown prince said. But we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path to a two state solution. So too was Prince bin Salman non committal when it came to providing funding to help rebuild Gaza. He said he was in discussion on the matter before Trump interjected to insist it'll be a lot. The crown prince did say he would increase Saudi Arabia's investment pledge in the United States from the 600 billion announced in May to 1 trillion, a massive figure that's nearly the kingdom's entire yearly economic output. All right, so you know what I'm calling that. They're blowing smoke up his ass. They are not going to invest the equivalent of an entire year's income of Saudi Arabia to the United States. That's not happening. That is. That'll be one of my New Year's predictions. Easy one, easy money. Trump, meanwhile, seemed eager to provide new American assistance to Saudi Arabia, including a defense pact and an agreement that would help the kingdom develop a civilian nuclear program. Mostly, however, he seemed intent on honoring the Crown Prince who has consolidated power and is now the kingdom's day to day ruler. I just want to thank you, Trump said. We've been really good friends for a long period of time. We've always been on the same side of every issue. So this is Trump during his first term being asked what he thought about the murder of Khashoggi Tape.