President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed questions about the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, describing the Saudi dissident as “extremely controversial” and suggesting the topic was raised to embarrass Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you liked him or didn’t like him, things happen,” Trump said in the Oval Office, turning toward the crown prince.

“He knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that,” he added.

The exchange underscored the crown prince’s return to high-level diplomatic engagement in Washington. During his first visit to the White House in more than seven years, Mohammed bin Salman received the ceremonial trappings of a state visit, signalling the end of the diplomatic isolation imposed following Khashoggi’s killing.

The visit comes amid ongoing discussions on defence agreements and potential civilian nuclear cooperation between the United States and Saudi Arabia.