Overview
- President Donald Trump cut off ABC’s Mary Bruce during a White House availability with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and called her a “terrible person” and a “terrible reporter.”
- Pressed on the CIA’s finding that MBS approved the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, Trump said “things happen,” asserted the crown prince knew nothing about it, and scolded Bruce for “embarrassing” the guest.
- Trump dismissed calls to release Jeffrey Epstein files as a “Democratic hoax” after Bruce asked why he would not order their disclosure without waiting for Congress.
- He suggested ABC should lose its broadcast license over what he called “fake” coverage and referenced FCC chairman Brendan Carr as the official who could review it.
- Responding to questions about possible conflicts, Trump said he has nothing to do with his family’s business and claimed they have done very little with Saudi Arabia, while MBS called Khashoggi’s murder “painful” and said Saudi systems were improved.