'Very painful': Slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi's widow opens up on Saudi crown prince visiting the US

 The widow of murdered Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, has described the visit of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House as "Very painful."The U.S. President, Donald Trump, is rolling out the red carpet to welcome the Crown Prince in a grand ceremony, followed by high-level discussions. In an interview with CNN, Khashoggi stated that she hopes the United States will put values regarding human rights and democracy "above all business deals."The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018 caused a global uproar. Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the regime who lived in exile in the United States and wrote for The Washington Post, was ambushed and killed by Saudi operatives inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, where he had gone to obtain documents for his marriage. His body was never recovered. US intelligence services have since concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the Kingdom's de facto ruler, personally approved the operation to "capture or kill" the prominent dissident. This intelligence finding significantly cooled relations between the two countries.  For many human rights groups, the warm reception for MBS on his first visit to the White House since the murder signals that the U.S. is prioritizing strategic interests over accountability for the crime.The current visit on November 18, 2025, highlights a significant geopolitical reset, with both Washington and Riyadh choosing to prioritize a strategic partnership rooted in energy, defense, and regional security.US President Trump has made it clear that the focus is on strengthening the alliance, announcing that the U.S. is likely to move forward with selling F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, despite concerns from Israel. A cooperation agreement on nuclear energy development for civilian use is also expected to be signed.  Trump emphasized the respect being shown, telling reporters, "We're not just going to meet. We're going to honor Saudi Arabia and the crown prince."For Crown Prince bin Salman, who assumed the role of Prime Minister in 2022, the lavish reception serves as an effective public rehabilitation, reinforcing his position as a global statesman and the future King of the oil-rich kingdom.  His efforts to soften Saudi Arabia's conservative image are often countered by ongoing severe crackdowns on dissent and a high number of executions at home, which human rights organizations are urging the U.S. to address during the talks.