‘Maybe He Did, Maybe He Didn’t’: Trump Defends Saudis, Downplays U.S. Intel

President Trump speaks to reporters before leaving the White House on Tuesday. He said his administration would remain a “steadfast partner” of Saudi Arabia despite the recent killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Turkey.

Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP

Updated at 4:40 a.m. ET on Wednesday

President Trump has made explicit that the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia will be defined by business deals and a shared opposition to Iran — and not the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

“If we abandon Saudi Arabia, it would be a terrible mistake,” Trump told reporters outside the White House on Tuesday. “We’re with Saudi Arabia. We’re staying with Saudi Arabia.”