Trump's Casual Remarks regarding Journalist's Murder Represents a New Low.
“Stuff occurs.” Just two words. That was enough for the US president to effectively dismiss what is probably the most notorious murder of a reporter of the last decade – and in so doing plumbed a new low in his disregard toward the press, for the media – and for the truth.
Background Details
The American leader’s dismissive attitude of the killing of well-known reporter Jamal Khashoggi came during a press conference with the Saudi leader, Mohammed bin Salman – a man whom the CIA concluded in a 2021 report had orchestrated the abduction and murder of the Washington Post columnist in that year. (The crown prince has rejected accusations.)
The American spy agencies were not the sole entities to conclude the murder – which took place in the Saudi diplomatic building in Turkey and in which the 59-year-old Khashoggi was sedated and cut apart – was signed off at the highest levels. An investigation led by former UN expert, the UN investigator, reached similar conclusions.
International Response
For a short time, nations were in agreement in their criticism of Saudi Arabia’s actions. The United States enacted sanctions and visa bans in that year over the murder, although it refrained of sanctioning Prince Mohammed himself. Since then, the kingdom has been gradually restoring itself – and the crown prince’s visit to the US capital seemed to be the ultimate sign of that redemption.
White House Remarks
Opponents of the government had strongly criticized the visit. But what was on display at the presidential residence was more alarming than could have been imagined. Not only did the president fete Prince Mohammed but he seemed to alter history – and then pointed fingers at the deceased. Prince Mohammed, Trump asserted when asked, knew nothing about the murder – in clear opposition to what his country’s own spy agencies concluded four years ago. Moreover, the president said: “Many individuals disliked that gentleman that you’re talking about, whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen.”
Established Conduct
This represents a new and abject low for a president who has made no attempt to hide of his contempt for the truth – or for the media. Trump has defamed reporters (he called a news network, whose reporter asked the inquiry about Khashoggi at the Saudi press conference “fake news”), scolded them in open settings (he called one a “piggy” this week for asking about his connection with the convicted sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein), sued news outlets for eye-watering sums of money in vexatious law suits, and called for news outlets he doesn’t like to lose their licenses.
He has pressured established media out of the official briefing group for refusing to use terminology of his preference, and he has slashed funding for vital news services at domestically and vital independent media internationally.
Wider Consequences
All of that has created an environment in which journalists are clearly more vulnerable in the United States, but one in which their targeting – and indeed killing – becomes not just insignificant (“incidents occur”) but acceptable (“a lot of people disliked that person”).
It is unsurprising that 2024 was the deadliest year on record for journalists in the over three decades the press freedom organization has been documenting this data: a persistent failure to bring to justice those responsible for reporter murders has created a culture of impunity in which journalists’ killers are actually able to get away with murder and so continue to do so.
In no place is this clearer than in Israel, which is accountable for the killing of more than 200 journalists in the past two years.
Effect on Society
The effect on society is deep. Targeting reporters are attacks on the truth. They are attacks on facts. They are violations of our rights to know and on our freedom to live freely and safely.
This week, CPJ gathers for its annual International Press Freedom awards. My message there is the same as my one for Trump: such events may happen. But it is our duty to make sure they cease.