MSNBC's Morning Joe shames Trump for siding with Saudis: 'The whole world is watching -- and you are for sale'
MSNBC's Joe Scarborough blasted President Donald Trump for refusing to confront Saudi Arabia over the apparent murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The president has suggested "rogue killers" may be responsible for Khashoggi's slaying, despite evidence linking the Saudis to the Washington Post columnist's death, and won't say whether he will commit the FBI to investigate.
"It's a shameful performance because the whole world is watching, Donald," Scarborough said. "The whole world is watching, and they're listening to you -- and it seems you are for sale."
The "Morning Joe" host said Trump's motivations were transparently self-serving, and he called out the president for siding with foreign investors instead of advancing U.S. national security.
"The Russians give you a lot of money, you come on our show three years ago and you defend it, you say at least (Putin) is a strong leader," Scarborough said. "Why? Because it's your son saying you make all of this money from Russia. All of these Russians, they spent money."
Trump has insisted that reports about Saudi investment in his family's real estate business were "fake news," although he has repeatedly boasted about that money in public speeches.
"This is embarrassing," Scarborough said. "I got the information that the Saudis helped make you richer from a source that's not a very good source. In fact, it's hard to believe anything that comes from this source because it's a constant stream of steady lies."
Scarborough then prepared to roll a clip of Trump talking about Saudi investment.
"I will admit, very embarrassed, but my source for saying that you, Donald, came from millions and millions of dollars came from this source right here," he said. "Let's play this tape right here. I'm ashamed."