Trump: “It Certainly Looks Like” Khashoggi Is Dead

The New York Times reports:

President Trump said on Thursday that he believes the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is dead, and he expressed confidence in intelligence reports from multiple sources that strongly suggest a high-level Saudi role in Mr. Khashoggi’s assassination.

Mr. Trump stopped short of saying the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was responsible for Mr. Khashoggi’s death. But the president acknowledged that the allegations that the prince ordered the killing raised deep questions about the American alliance with Saudi Arabia and had ignited one of the most serious foreign policy crises of his presidency.

“This one has caught the imagination of the world, unfortunately,” Mr. Trump said to reporters from The New York Times in a brief interview in the Oval Office. “It’s not a positive. Not a positive. Unless the miracle of all miracles happens, I would acknowledge that he’s dead. That’s based on everything — intelligence coming from every side.”

BREAKING: Trump says it ‘certainly looks’ like Saudi writer is dead, pledges ‘severe’ consequences if Saudi royals are responsible.

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 18, 2018

BREAKING: Asked if journalist Jamal Khashoggi is dead, President Trump says, “It certainly looks that way to me.” pic.twitter.com/ZMadbuhG9W

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) October 18, 2018