The Washington Post's editorial board slammed President Donald Trump on Tuesday over comments he made about one of the outlet's assassinated journalists during a press conference in the Oval Office.
Trump hosted Saudi Arabian Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman on Tuesday, and the foreign leader faced tough questions about journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a press conference. Khashoggi was murdered by a hit squad with ties to the highest levels of Saudi Arabia's government, according to an assessment by the U.S. intelligence agencies. The agencies also concluded that it was likely MBS approved of the hit before it was carried out.
After a reporter asked MBS about Khashoggi's death, Trump jumped in to answer the question. He claimed that "things happened" to Khashoggi, who he described as a "controversial figure" and someone that "a lot of people didn't like."
The editorial board discussed Trump's comments in a new editorial on Tuesday.
"President Donald Trump’s performance at the White House Tuesday was something else entirely: weak, crass and of no strategic benefit to America," the editorial reads in part.
"The reality is that while Trump advocates peace through strength, he showed nothing but debility," it continued. "No doubt other dictators took note. Legitimizing and defending Mohammed this way will embolden him and his ilk to mistreat not just journalists but any Americans — knowing that they’ll probably face no real consequences."